Uganda's history between 1971 and 1979 compromises of Idi Amin's military dictatorship over Uganda. The economy of Uganda was devastated by Idi Amin's policies including the expulsion of Asians. Amin, a military leader, overthrew President of Uganda Milton Obote. The people of the Buganda kingdom seemed to welcome Amin and willingly forgot that he used military suppression to become leader. Uganda became a military dictatorship which was governed from a collection of military barracks across the country. Amin recruited followers from his own tribe, the Kakwas, along with Sudanese and Nubians. By 1977, these groups formed 60% of the 22 top generals and 75% of the cabinet. Muslims former 80 and 87.5% of the groups even though they were only 5% of the population. The Ugandan army grew from 10,000 to over 25,000 by 1978, however only 24% of the army were Ugandan. By the mid-1970s only the most trustworthy were allowed ammunition, although this didn't prevent a series of mutinies and murders. An attempt by American journalists, Nicholas Stroh and Robert Siedle, to investigates and of the barracks in 1972 led to their disappearances and later deaths.
In early 1972 he reversed the foreign policy to secure financial and military aid from Gaddafi of Libya. Amin expelled his remaining Israeli advisers and became anti-Israel. To get aid from Saudi Arabia he rediscovered his neglected Islamic heritage. Following his foreign policy reversal in 1972, the Soviet Union became Amin's largest supplier of arms. East Germany helped to build Amin's secret police, during the invasion of Tanzania in 1979 they attempted to remove evidence of their involvement.
In August 1972, he expelled almost all of Uganda's 80,000 Asians and seized their property, homes and businesses. This act proved disastrous for the already declining economy. As the army officers and supporters now ran the economy, all of the local businesses and stores were ran into the ground from mismanagement and abuse of power. The rural African producers turned to smuggling as the economy faltered. Amin became obsessed with stopping smugglers and allowed his adviser, former British citizen Bob Astles, to talk all necessary steps to eliminate the issues. These orders included the Ugandan police and army to shoot smugglers on sight.
In 1973 Idi Amin decreed Swahili was to be the official language of Uganda. 12 of 20 districts chose this but the other 8 wanted Luganda.
Persecution of ethnic and political groups:
Amin retaliated against the attempted invasion by Ugandan exiles in 1972 by purging the army of Obote supporters, predominantly those from the Acholi and Lango ethnic groups. In July 1971, Lango and Acholi soldiers were massacred in the Jinja and Mbarara barrack, Some 5000 soldiers had been killed by early 1972 and twice as many civilians disappeared. Victims came to include members of other ethnic groups, religious leaders, journalists, artists, artists, judges, lawyers and foreign nationals. Bodies were often dumped in the River Nile.
The killings, motivated by ethnic, political and financial factors, continued through Amin's eight year rule. The death toll is estimated at no fewer than 80,000 and more likely around 300,000. Amnesty International and exile organisations put the number killed at 500,000.
Terrorism and suppression:
Amin has been suspected to use state terrorism. One act of state terrorism was when High Court Judge Benedicto Kiwanuka, was seized directly from his courtroom. Like many other victims he was forced to remove his shoes and bundled into the boot of a car and never seen alive again. The shoes were left on the side of the roadside to mark the passing of human life. They do this to deter others from going against the state.
In June 1976 Amin attempted to establish ties with an international terrorist group, when he offered the Palestinian hijackers of an Air France flight protected base at the old airport at Entebbe as a place to press their demands in exchange for the release of Israeli hostages. After the hostages held by the group were rescued, Amin was left humiliated. He retaliated by having an elderly hostage kidnapped from hospital and killed. He also ordered all the civilian staff at Entebbe airport.
Environment:
During the eight years under the rule of Amin the environment and ecological system were subjected to abuse and destruction by widespread poaching and deforesting committed by both smugglers and Ugandan army soldiers. It's reported that Uganda lost 75% of its elephants, 98% of its Rhinos, 90% of its crocodiles, 80% of its lions and leopards, as well as numerous species of bird.
Link to the world of cultural diversity:
This case study shows how cultures can be threatened by political and military powers. It shows how the government/leader of a country can try to suppress culture in their own culture. Idi Amin went against many human rights during his time in power. He tried to silence foreign journalists from reporting the truth and had anyone who went against him killed.
The case study also shows the effects of culture on the environment and how the environment can be exploited.
Sources of further information:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_King_of_Scotland
http://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/jan/12/thriller.jamesmcavoy
Young people are beginning to leave the small hunting villages where the Inuits live. The culture has had to adapt and change over the centuries to cope with the changing climate, however it seems that it is the migration of people looking for better opportunities that will lead to the loss of culture. There is now a town along the Uummannaq Fjord where 2200 people live- the town ha a steep narrow road for motor vehicle access. The town also has stores, bars and a hospital. This is also where children from the villages are schooled and where some come to work and shop. Previously villagers would work by hunting and fishing. They eat and use the by-products of whales and seals but this is not longer a product which can be exported due to hunting bans. The main export is now halibut. For this reason many settlements now have factories ran by Royal Greenland.
Kiribati's culture is centred around family, the church and the sea. The islands isolation has allowed traditional values and skills to be maintained. Some of the traditions have led to some social problems. Drinking alcohol and consuming Todi (locally fermented coconut juice) is part of the culture. This has has led to alcoholism becoming an issue on the island, this could be an explanation for the high levels of domestic violence. Pubusi is a cultural practice on the island, this is where you can ask a neighbour for any material possession, many people agree. This may explain their low GDP when measured against other countries. Kiribati is known for its traditional martial arts, the essence of which is the magical power of ancestral warrior spirits. Kiribati has folk music based around chanting and body percussion. They often put on public performances of their music. They also stick dance, they use this to accompany the telling of legends and semi-historical stories. The form of dancing is called tirere and is only performed during major festivals. It is a major part of culture and is what makes it so unique. Dancers dance with their arms outstretched and use of sudden bird like movements of the head. The Frigate Bird on the flag refers to the bird-like style of dance. Smiling whilst dancing is considered vulgar in Kiribati dancing. This is because they do not view dancing as a form of entertainment but as a form of storytelling and showing skill, beauty and endurance.
The Kiribati culture is under threat, largely due to the sinking of the islands. Climate change is causing sea levels to rise, Kiribati is only around 8m above sea level- each year more and more of the island is being lost. The government blames western countries, who emit greenhouse gases, for their situation.
An example of the loss of Kiribati's culture is the loss of Bwabwai- a prestige food of the culture. Rising sea levels are causing the water on the island to become more saline. Bwabwai is a swamp taro which takes around 5 years to grow and is sensitive to salt water intrusion. It can now not be grown in many areas of the island and is at risk of eventually being lost from the islands cuisine.
Many people find it deeply unfair that their climate issues are not of their own doing. Since the 1980s the leaders have tried to get the attention of major carbon-polluting countries. Although due to the islands size this has been difficult. It has however attracted the attention of many journalists and photographers which has helped to publicise their case. The island and peoples futures are unclear. People of Kiribati has begun considering migration, but as of yet no countries have said that they will accept the climate refugees. Many of the people don't want to leave their lives on the island, they would only leave if they had to. One way in which they are trying to prevent sinking is to plant mangroves- this will not solve the issue though it will only buy them more time.
The Death of Tibet
Tibet has a distinct culture due to its geographical location and climatic conditions. The culture is influenced by neighbouring countries such as Nepal, India and China, but due to the remoteness of the country (in the Himalaya's) and inaccessibility the culture has preserved local influences and has led to the distinct culture. Buddhism was introduced in the 7th century and has had a strong influence on culture. Buddhists introduced arts and customs to the areas from India and China. The art, literature an music all have elements of Buddhist beliefs in them. Tibet has a unique cuisine compared to other countries, this is because the crops must be able to grow at high altitudes. Barley is the key crop- it is used to make butter tea. They work on a lunisolar calendar- the Tibetan year is 12-13 lunisolar months. The 13th month is added around every three years so the calendar equals the solar calendar.
Tibetan culture has come under threat from China. Tibet was invaded in 1950 by China (battle of Chamdo). The invasion led to over a million Tibetan deaths between 1950 and 1970. Ancient monasteries and temples were on the verge of destruction and Tibetan culture was being disintegrated. In 1951 the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government was forced to accept the Seventeen Point Agreement for the peaceful liberation of Tibet, incorporating it into the peoples republic of China. In 1959 an uprising in Tibet began, armed conflict between Tibetan rebels and the Chinese arms began in 1951, due to China failing to honour the Seventeen Point Agreement. In 1959 the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India, after a failed attempt anti-China uprising, where he still lives as a refugee. Around 80,000 Tibetan refugees fled with him. To preserve Tibetan culture he created a Tibetan educational system to teach Tibetan children the language, history, religion and culture. He travels the world teaching Tibetan Buddhism and talking about the importance of compassion as the source of a happy life.
in 1995, Dalai Lama named a 6 year old Gedhun Choekyi Nyiima as the true reincarnation of Panchen Lama (the 2nd most important figure in Tibetan Buddhism). Chinese authorities placed him under house arrest and designated another child as Panchen Lama.
Around the world, institutions face pressure from China not to accept Dalai Lama. China froze all high-level contact with the UK when David Cameron met with the Dalai Lama. Relations between China and the UK thawed when Mr Cameron announced he had no intention to meet with him again.
It is dangerous for monks to talk about Dalai Lama, they would be taken away if the government found out they had spoken to him or about him. In a BBC News article I watched, the monks faces had to be blurred out so that they were unrecognisable. Their religious freedom is restricted, they have to worship in secret. To them the Dalai Lama is the sun, "he is the only master" in their "hearts". David Cameron has had to cut ties with Dalai Lama to make connections with China. The more foreign governments who comply, critics say, the more abuse of human rights there will be. Tibet will slowly slip away from international view and the fearful monks will become more isolated. Similarly, in 2014 when Obama held talks with the Dalai Lama in Washington, China summoned the US embassy official in Beijing in protest.
Tibets culture has been affected by the liberation by China in the 1950s. Tibetan language is separate from Chinese, although inside Tibet Chinese has become the official language of education, business and government. Primary and secondary education is predominantly taught in Mandarin, with Tibetan as a second language. Many people work preserve the Tibetan culture, such as by running local language classes. However, organisers risk being arrested.
