Africa’s cultural landmarks: tombs of Buganda kings
Built from vegetal materials, these majestic tombs housing Buganda kings bridge the realms of living and dead in Uganda - by Aeon Video Watch on Aeon
Kasubi Hill, located in Uganda's capital city of Kampala, serves as the final resting place for four kings of the Buganda monarchy. This ancient kingdom maintains a significant presence in the lives of the Baganda people. The tombs are crafted from vegetal materials, requiring ongoing maintenance and making them susceptible to damage. In March 2010, a fire ravaged much of the tomb complex, highlighting the structures' fragility.
Directed by Ethiopian-American filmmaker Sosena Solomon, the documentary film showcases the meticulous efforts taken to restore the tombs, as well as the crucial role they play in Baganda society. Solomon's film features the Buganda Kingdom's prime minister, alongside architects and artisans involved in the restoration process. Through this visual documentation, Solomon effectively conveys the spiritual and cultural significance of these grand structures, capturing the essence of the Baganda people's values and beliefs.
The film is part of the short documentary series Africa's Cultural Landmarks, produced by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in collaboration with the World Monuments Fund.
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