COMMUNICATION DESIGN IN PADHOLA.
Driving the time portal back to the 16th century, is where we find the laying stone of the origin of
the Jophadola. It all began with Adhola after running away from his home town due to power
struggles with his step- brother. He led his group South wards settling in the Eastern region of
Uganda. So around 1333 the tribe was set up.
Geographically speaking, Japathola is located in the Eastern region of Uganda in Tororo district
in particular. It consists of different divisions each having a particular clan. The tribe is a small
but united chiefdom with a pastoristic background.
Research article compiled below basically relates to the heading. We dive deep into how the
Jophadola art crafts and all related to the current communication design. How their designs are
similar to those we see today.
THE ROYAL CLOTHES.
We can't talk about this great chiefdom without talking about it's chief. The current ruler the
Kwara Adhola put into power in 1999 will be our source of reference that is to say,
H.E Steven Moses Owor has royal coats and gowns each with a particular meaning.
Each of these clothing coats are used on specific occasions.The special name given to these
gowns is Lawi Gi Sangari.
These all mean leadership and dignity of His Highness Kwara Adhola.
To begin with , the maroon or red gowns. Each embroidery design is the shield of the tribe as
shown.
Picture taken by Mariamnakibuuka
The whole Seth is made from cotton. Embroidery done by machinery using linen thread.
It's red to mean unity and brotherhood. The embroidery in a heart form to mean love the clan
has for its chief.
This design can be used to make everyday coats for suits. It also is an inspiration for pin
gowns i .e
Similarly, in England we see the cap worn by Queen Victoria in almost the same design
though more sophisticated , that is to say .
The image above shows the Jophadola gown vs the queen of England gown vs current fashion
gown for ladies.
Back to the roots , the Kwara Adhola also has cloth skin from animals and back trees.
The Pyen Kwach or leopard skin in English. It means brevity and tolerance of the Kwara
Adhola.
This image shows the leopard skin and how often it's used in fashion to make clothes.
It's also used to make shoes, bags etc.
There is also use of back cloth. This is called Bongi in Jopadhola. Its purpose is to remind
people of Padhola to keep safe,of the Padhola cultural norms and customs.
Part of his clothing also includes the walking stick also known as Luth.
It suggests protection , guidance of the Jophadola tribe. This is often used whenever the chief
is out .
Picture taken by Mariamnakibuuka
In terms of visual art again, this stick can also be referred to as sculpture. A round sculpture
in form. The stick is made out of wood and then the designs engraved on.
Similarly everyday, we see people moving with walking sticks for fashion and these come in
different designs. They can also be made out of plastic or light metal.
They are also used for support when moving.
Courtesy of Google.
What's fashion with no shoes, the royal highness also had royal sandals. These are called
the War Pyen Ogwang. They are a unique pair made out of anima skin or hide. Its original
intention behind its making was to protect the pastorist during shepherding.
Courtesy of Google.
BACK CLOTH.
Still on the hides, the Kwara Adhola also has back cloth as said. It is made out of a tree
back.
This is used during cultural ceremonies like during his coronation ceremony back in 1999. It
is a symbol of power all through Africa.
It symbolizes strength too just like the
tree.
Courtesy of Google.
This back cloth is used to currently make the shoes, bags even belts not forgetting hats
and clothing.i.e
Courtesy of Google.
The image above shows the various ways back cloth can be used to make dressing.
Courtesy of Google.
Fine looking huts can also be made.
Note should be taken that these back cloth though with an interesting cultural representation
are at times misused and misunderstood as suspicious elements for black magic or witch crafts.
This is not actually the case though it can not also fully be denied.
THE ROYAL TIENG ADHOLA COAT OF ARMS.
The royal coats of arms,just like any coat of arms, has items related to the particular
theme. The royal shield is seen in many places or the royal items like the royal flag, the royal
stool and royal seat.
It is made out of wood through wood carving creating interesting designs.It comprises of
1.The Tororo rock .
This is also known as tele. It signifies strength as much as the rock does. Never moving nor
shaken . It remains firm . People of Padhola are this strong too.
2. Two people holding hands.
This is termed as Jji Aryo Majomakere Chingi. It symbolizes unity, peace and development. It
also shows the nature in which a family should be with a man and woman holding it.
3. Spears.
This is termed as tongee. Just like any weaponry, it's meant to show alertness for any attack by
the enemy.
4. Shield.
Also termed as the Kwoti . There is one appearing on the coat . It's meant to show a strong
defense mechanism against the enemy. They will easily push you out of their land.
5. Huffer/ Horns
The coat is situated with two horns and a hoffer in the middle. Since time in memorial in African
culture, horns were blown to inform people about anything. In this particular coat of arms , the
horns were blown to alert the H.H.Kwara Adhola and the whole community of danger coming
their way .
6. Drum.
The coat has a drum in the center. It is referred to as Buli. Apart from entertainment and music,
along with the horns blown , the drum was also hit to call the Jopadhola to assemble.
7. The millet.
Ask the staple food of the Jophadola, millet cannot miss. They refer to it as Kali. It shows the
fertility of the land as millet does not grow on any type of soil.
8. Lastly but not least we have the motto.
This clearly states " UNITY, PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT" . These are the objectives, call it
aims of the clan as a whole.
Picture taken by Olive.Owor
The coat of arms can be related to that of the
Some have similar features e.g shield, drum even crops. These are all similar to the Ugandan
coat of arms.
In communication design this coat of arms can be placed on a sculpture, especially a
functional sculpture like a chair. This will explain it's origin from Padhola.
Picture taken by Mariamnakibuuka
It has been used to make these lovely bags and foot rests.
Now, we can't talk about royalty and not talk about the royal flag. Just like every chiefdom
or kingdom, the Jophadola also has a royal flag.
Original flag is situated in Tororo at H.E Kwara Adhola's home.
It is highly decorated with two main colours i.e gold and indigo. These colours alternate
one after the other two times.
It also has a feature , the royal coats of arms at the right top corner.
Jophadola as a tribe. It's their symbol of identification.
Picture taken by Mariamnakibuuka
1.The royal coat of arms.
This is like the symbol of identification of the Jophadola tribe.
2. The indigo colour.
This represents the favourable climate. It shows the abundant sunshine and ever
falling rain that makes it possible to grow food in the fertile lands.
It also shows the great harvest i.e harvest in plenty of the food and cash crops.
3. The gold.
This represents the land . All fertile land. It is gold since gold is in the family brown
which shows soil.
The colours have been used smartly as;
Gold light which in this case the sun, which is the source of life on Earth
hence showing the wealth that people have. Gold also being in the family of brown will
automatically represent life, the Earth.
Indigo used to represent life. It's in the family of blue . Blue is always associated with
calmness , water or peace.
Courtesy of Google.
The image above shows indigo and gold .One can real deal peace and the earth in this concept.
Courtesy of Google.
The theme here clearly shows nature. The leaves outline in indigo and the whole background is
gold.
THE ROYAL REGALIA.
Just like any other kingdom or chiefdom , the Jophadola also have a regalia. A regalia in
definition is a group of items held by a person in power.
It symbolizes the authority that particular person has over a given group of people. These
items usually carry specific meai, have color they have for a reason, the designs they have is
also for a reason.
The Jophadola clan also has these items and are held in the office of Kwara Adhola.
1. The Royal Throne.
This is referred to as Kom Pa Kwara in the Jopadhola language. It symbolizes the respect that
the subjects have for their king.
This chair, called the throne, also shows the royalty of the person sitting on it as in African
culture only a head of anything would sit up and others down.
Picture of one of the thrones.
Picture taken by Mariamnakibuuka.
As seen in the picture above , this throne has spears on the back that represent the assured
protection that the people of the tribe have.
This particular throne sits in the official office of the king . It is used for official purposes only.
There also is another throne. This one is used for cultural purposes in particular. It has well
designed carvings on the back.
These carvings are of the Jopadhola activities , have people and even tell ancestral
stories.
Now this throne in particular is used in cultural functions only.
Though not clear the image below is of the seat used in ceremonies. As seen in the back,
there is a wood design of the royal coat of arms.
Picture taken by Olive Owor .
These designs of the throne are also seen in everyday life where we see people of higher
classes having designed seats.
2. The Traditional Stool.
This is called the Nya Tuk Tuk. It is an elders stool. It's used by official members amongst the
members in the royal cabinet.
The stool is designed for leisure purposes and to relax. It is round in shape with short
stands. This therefore makes it for usage but not for a long time.
The stool.
Picture taken by Mariamnakibuuka.
The stool as seen above has design and decorations on the seat area. These decorations
are at times seen on the kitenge that is worn all over Africa.
It is a butterfly in shape which shows freedom. They represent the freedom that elders
have when talking to the king about their people's problems. This shows the attention that the
king gives his people.
It is made out of a monogamy tree to show long lastingness and strong determination of
the elders.
3. The ceremonial robes.
These have already been seen in the clothing of the king and do remain the same.
As known only the king will get to wear them.
4. The big drum.
This is referred to as the Buli Madwong. It is sounded during ceremonies . This can be
during cultural meetings too.
This drum comes along with the long drum too. But it's main purpose is for entertainment .
Picture taken by Mariamnakibuuka.
The image above is of the big drum used during the ceremonies .
Picture taken by Mariamnakibuuka.
The one above is the long drum used for entertainment.
5. The Shield.
Also known as the Kwot. A regalia tool that many tribes have in Africa . It's for the
defense against the enemies of the Jophadola people.
Its original material was wood but the one shown below is of hide. Tanned hide.
Picture taken by Olive Owor.
This has different designs as seen all of African origin. These prints can be used on clothes
.
Note should be taken that this is perfectly handmade showing great skills of the Jophadola
tribe people.
Other items of the royal regalia include ….the flutes
….the carpet
..,.the beads
. …the horn huffer.
All these exist on the coat of arms as illustrated before.
APPLICATION OF THE CULTURAL ITEMS TO SOCIETY.
1.The designs of the different items seen can be used in contemporary society.
The throne can be a reference to our daily chair designs.
2. The leopard skin can be tanned and used to make fashionable clothing. Even bags and
shoes can be made out of these.
3. Inspiration from the long drums can be taken to design a car of even an interesting setting
of the bed chamber.
4. One can use the print designs in the stools, thrones or robes to create interesting
patterns on fibre then sell. These are seen in museums too.
5. The horns and shield can also be used in designs if modern beast cars. These look
manly and speak power.
6. Illustration of application of the coat of arms. This can be used to make posts or low relief
sculpture.
Picture taken by Olive Owor.
The designs in the frame above is developed from the coat of arms. One can clearly see
the shield and the arrows present.
The rock symbolizing unity amongest the people is also shown. There is also a lake like
structure at the bottom showing abundance on water and good climate.
7. In terms of modeling, the portrait of the Jophadola king can be used to make interesting
sellable work.
Picture taken by Mariamnakibuuka.
The piece of art work above shows the king of the Jophadola. It's written on
LION OF TORORO
Moses Stephen Owor
Kwara Adhola
King of Peace and Unity.
In conclusion, the traditional regalia, royal items and the fascinating tools of identification
of the Jophadola still exist today but have been upgraded to meet the changing fashion and
time.