Title: The key components of Kikiga Culture that influence the professional lives of Bakiga women.
Authors: Betty Mategeko
Volume: 9
Issue: 9
Pages: 51-57
Publication Date: 2025/09/28
Abstract:
The study examined the key components of Kikiga culture and their influence on the professional career attainment of Bakiga women in southwestern Uganda. Women's career trajectories were understood not only as outcomes of individual effort but also as products of deeply rooted cultural structures, norms, and values that simultaneously shaped opportunities and imposed limitations. While Uganda has adopted progressive gender policies, the persistence of patriarchal traditions, cultural values, and communal expectations continues to impact women's educational and professional advancement. The study employed a qualitative research design using focus group discussions and key informant interviews with 48 participants drawn from different Bakiga communities. Data were collected on cultural elements such as values, beliefs, norms, customs, sanctions, language, dress, eating habits, dances, and taboos. Content analysis was used to interpret responses, and findings were organized into thematic categories reflecting the components of Kikiga culture. The findings revealed that values were the most significant cultural component influencing women's professional lives, with respondents emphasizing respect for elders, payment of bride price, early marriages, and the emphasis on virginity as central values. Beliefs ranked second in importance, particularly those connected to ancestral reverence, communal harmony, and spirituality, which shaped discipline and ethical conduct. Norms emerged as another key influence, dictating acceptable behaviors that framed women's identity and discipline. Customs and sanctions were found to play dual roles, both supporting cultural preservation and enforcing compliance, which translated into accountability and discipline in professional environments. Language served as a vehicle of cultural identity and continuity, while taboos acted as prohibitive measures that indirectly shaped women's choices, especially regarding education and marriage. It was concluded that Kikiga culture profoundly influences women's professional career attainment. While values and beliefs provide women with discipline, resilience, and identity that enhance workplace adaptability, restrictive norms, early marriages, and taboos hinder educational continuity and career progression. The cultural framework thus acts as both a supportive and constraining force in women's pursuit of professional success. The study recommended that organizations employing Bakiga women should be sensitized to cultural backgrounds to enhance workplace harmony and supervision. Educational institutions should integrate cultural values into mentoring programs to strengthen moral discipline while addressing restrictive practices such as early marriages. Policy interventions, scholarships, and mentorship programs were also recommended to help women balance cultural expectations with professional aspirations. Furthermore, documentation and promotion of Kikiga language and customs were encouraged to sustain identity while enabling women to participate effectively in modern professional contexts.