Kibiro Salt Producing Village

Kibiro Salt Producing Village is located 200 kilometers to the west of Kampala, the Capital city of Uganda. The property, situated in the captivating Kigorobya Sub-County, Hoima District, within the territorial boundaries of the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, is positioned amidst Lake Albert and a 300-600-meter-high escarpment on the eastern side of the Western Rift Valley, offering awe-inspiring views and cultural significance. The Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom is one of the most ancient powerful kingdoms in Central and East Africa, it is recognized today as one of the constituent kingdoms of Uganda. Through archaeological and historical research, it has been unveiled that salt produced from the Kibiro salt village played a pivotal role in the economic development of the Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom for the past 900 years. Encompassing an area of approximately 10 hectares, the Kibiro Salt Producing Village holds a variety of features including salt gardens, a hot spring, ritual sites, and archaeological fields.

The Kibiro Salt Producing Village comprise four notable salt garden areas, each distinguished by its own unique characteristics. The largest among them is Munteri, followed by Kantanda, while the Nyanchibo, although its dating remains uncertain and is partly submerged in Lake Albert, remains a significant site. The Muchanga area is particularly linked to the hot spring. Presently, three out of the four salt gardens are in use by local communities, and they have been subdivided into smaller sections. A notable aspect of salt production in Kibiro is its exclusive association with female labor. In contrast to other salt-producing sites in Uganda, Tanzania and Poland, the craft of salt processing in Kibiro is exclusively carried out by women. The ownership of salt gardens is passed down through matriarchal system (female lineage) as opposed to the widely accepted used patriarchal system. The matriarchal system is from a mother to a daughter, an aunt, or a mother-in-law. This matriarchal system underscores the crucial role of women in upholding and perpetuating the traditions of salt production in the community. Kibiro Salt Producing Village serves as a remarkable testament to a time-honoured practice associated with a matriarchal system which still continues in the present times. This exceptional site showcases an ancient salt production industry that has sustained its inhabitants for over eight centuries (1400AD - present). For nearly nine hundred years, the people of Kibiro have depended on the art of ash salt production - a traditional method steeped in history, cultural beliefs, and practices.

The Kibiro Salt Producing Village vividly exemplify an Outstanding Universal Value of a distinctive salt production industry underpinned by a matriarchal system supported by Indigenous Knowledge Systems and practices and Living Heritage that has sustained the local population for over 900 years and possesses the potential to endure for forthcoming generations. Nestled on the shores of Lake Albert, the inhabitants of Kibiro have depended on the production of ash salt as a means of sustenance, while complementing their fishing endeavors. This traditional salt production technique entails recycling residual earth with fresh soil, which is dispersed on salt gardens to facilitate the absorption of saline water through a capillary system. The process encompasses scraping, spreading, and heaping the saline soil over a span of approximately a week, followed by leaching and boiling to the point of crystallization, culminating in the creation of ash salt. This methodology has been transmitted through generations, rendering salt production a hereditary vocation predominantly undertaken by women.

The archaeological evidence such as burial materials including copper-based alloy penannular ring, iron bracelets, disc beads of freshwater shell and an abundance of pot shades with different decorations to name but a few furnishes compelling proof of the historical import of Kibiro Salt Producing Village. Extensive deposits of potsherds, dating back between eight and nine hundred years to the present era, have been unearthed across the village, plunging to depths of up to four meters. These potsherds epitomize the pottery ware that was formerly utilized during the leaching and boiling procedures. The presence of these artefacts underscores the enduring cultural traditions linked with salt production and imparts valuable insights into the technological progressions that have moulded the industry over time.

Criterion (i): Kibiro Salt Producing Village exemplifies an extraordinary manifestation of human creative genius, specifically within the realm of salt production processes. The ingenious practice of recycling earth has facilitated the sustainable perpetuation of the salt industry across generations. These innovative techniques not only underscore the remarkable resourcefulness of the local community but also serve as a resounding testament to human adaptability and inventiveness. The ingeniously employed by the community showcases the profound ingenuity and resourceful spirit, highlighting their exceptional ability to harness the available resources and ensure the continued success of the salt industry.

Criterion (iii): Kibiro Salt Producing Village serves as a compelling testament to a vibrant living cultural tradition that has endured throughout the ages. The sustained utilization of the site for salt production, in conjunction with the preservation of traditional practices and rituals, eloquently exemplifies the timeless nature of this cultural heritage. Kibiro Salt Producing Village stands as a living monument to the profound legacy and ongoing significance of salt production within the fabric of the Kibiro community. Notably, the site bears witness to the enduring gender monopoly in salt production, predominantly entrusted to women. This cultural practice resonates with the social dynamics and gender roles deeply ingrained within the community, thereby illuminating the vital contributions of women in the salt industry.

Criterion (iv): Kibiro Salt Producing Village presents an exceptional example of a landscape that yields profound insights into significant historical periods. The remarkable presence of well-preserved archaeological deposits, including pottery fragments and bone remains, dating back 900 years within the settlement, attests to the enduring human occupation and activity in the area. This wealth of archaeological evidence illuminates the historical development and evolution of the site, enriching our understanding of past civilizations and their intricate relationship with salt production. Kibiro Salt Producing Village has served as a vibrant hub for the exchange of invaluable knowledge and cultural practices related to salt production. The site vividly exemplifies the substantial interchange of human values within a distinct cultural realm, shedding light on the sophisticated technology and intricate techniques employed in traditional salt production.

Criterion (vi): Kibiro Salt Producing Village stands as an exceptional exemplification of traditional land use practices, vividly showcasing the intricate interplay between human communities and their environment. The site's significance is rooted in the context of dwindling salt nutrients and the relentless efforts undertaken to sustain the productivity of the salt gardens. This remarkable endeavor illuminates the adaptive strategies employed by the community, underscoring their profound understanding of the delicate equilibrium between human intervention and environmental preservation. The enduring traditional practices observed at the Kibiro Salt Producing Village serve as a compelling testament to the timeless interdependence between humanity and the natural world.

The Salt Producing Village has remained largely unchanged, passed down from one generation to the next in accordance with cultural traditions including belief systems. The process of salt production continues to be deeply embedded in local knowledge, skills, and practices that have been orally transmitted for approximately 900 years. It is remarkable that certain tools used in salt production, such as wooden bowls, have been in use for about 800 years and are still employed in the scraping and spreading of salty soils. Historically, the gardens were owned by individual women of the village and this practice has since continued. This system has aided the preservation and protection of Kibiro Salt Producing Village. Through myths and taboos such as men not being allowed to participate in the salt processing activities, this has protected the gardens from being over crowded thereby causing negative impact on the gardens. This has aided minimal alterations or additions to its physical attributes and associated beliefs and practices.

The nominated property boundary covers a sum total of 60.168 hectares. The buffer zone measures approximately 10 hectares while the protected areas cover approximately 50.168 hectares. This total area covering the Kibiro Salt Producing Village is adequate in ensuring all the site values, attributes of the gardens are effectively protected and managed. The local communities have made commendable efforts to mitigate the impact of physical transformations on the salt gardens, showcasing their steadfast commitment to safeguarding this culturally significant site. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the site is not immune to physical transformations resulting from factors such as climate change and other environmental influences. Notably, one of the gardens, Nyanchibo, has become submerged in Lake Mwitanzige (Albert), this is most likely due to shifts in water levels or natural processes. Nevertheless, the local communities residing in the area have responded proactively by employing their traditional knowledge and skills to address this issue. They have been actively engaged in draining water from the remaining three salt gardens using carnal systems, ensuring the protection and preservation of their integrity.

While the ongoing environmental changes impact the physical condition of the site, the proactive measures taken by the local communities reflect their unwavering dedication to preserving its integrity. These efforts contribute significantly to the overall conservation of the hot springs and salt gardens, guaranteeing that future generations can continue to appreciate and benefit from this unique and culturally significant heritage.