Peaceful Ruler In Baganda Poem by Kimberly Burnham

Interchangeable words
for peace and quiet
"eddembe" and "emirembe"
peace but inextricably "royal reign"
in the language Luganda
spoken by 5 million in Southern Uganda

The death of a king followed by
a period of symbolic and physical violence
disorder coming to an end
with the ritual installation of a successor
the new reign bringing a return
order freedom liberty
hand in hand with peace
"eddembe" and "emirembe" a properly
firmly installed ruler