Reflections on the 2016 Congress in Kampala
Written by Pepeyla (Verna) Miller
Beautiful Lake Bunyoni near Kabale, Uganda, was the location of our Emerging Ethnobiologists Workshop and Retreat. The Entusi Retreat Center is a piece of paradise on one of the many islands that reside in Lake Bunyoni. The staff are, bar none, the best hosts I personally have ever encountered. Western countries could take lessons from these gentle people.
We arrived, after night had settled in, to a lovely welcome of hot towels to wash off the day’s dust after our journey from Kigali, Rwanda. After a most welcome meal we were settle into our rooms.
Professors Karim Aly Kassam and Jon Corbet and I, led the workshops and without any delay the workshop participants got comfortable and were treated to new experiences. They put together an incredible video of their time at the retreat. We also visited local communities and a traditional medicine man. All the photos and videos are posted on our website and I encourage everyone of the ISE to view the wonderful experiences we shared. The people everywhere we visited were so welcoming and friendly. This is an experience none of us will ever forget.
On the last day we packed our luggage and piled it along with ourselves into our skiff and were off to the shore where we met our driver and headed for Kampala. This was a full day’s drive that took us through the equator where we finally stopped for a bite to eat before reaching Kampala.
Our guest house accommodations on Makerere University Campus were located a short brisk walk to the venue for the Congress. We had a day of grace and were invited to the crowning celebration for the King of the Buganda Kingdom. Buganda is the largest Kingdom in Uganda and its Parliament is located in the city.
Our opening Ceremonies were well attended by the local dignitaries and the campus performance group put on a lovely and lively opening welcome. I attended a variety of intriguing, unique and interesting presentations. A presentation that stood out for me was the combining of dance as art incorporated into ethnobiology. From the presenter’s cultural perspective, I really saw the sense of this. The poster presentations were so very interesting and varied. Part of the reason I enjoy the ISE Congress is to see the posters.
Despite some initial problems with communication services and small numbers, the congress was a great success. At the end there was a definite feeling of revival and excitement for the coming years. We do have our challenges as a Society but I am pleased to see so many young ethnobiologists taking on leadership roles as evidenced by our new Board. Except me, the old one.