hima

Hima refers to a Bantu-speaking pastoralist community in the Great Lakes region of East Africa, primarily in western Uganda and extending into parts of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In Uganda, they are closely associated with the Banyankole and with the historical cattle-keeping groups of the Ankole and Toro polities. The term Hima, or Abahima/Bahima, has also been used to describe a social stratum within these societies, traditionally linked to cattle herding and associated elites.

Linguistically, many Hima people speak Runyankore or Runyankore-Rukiga, and they may identify as part of the broader Banyankole ethnicity. The social structure historically included a distinction between the cattle-herding Hima and other groups such as agriculturalists who lived in the same regions. This stratification has been influenced by historical governance, marriage practices, and later colonial and post-colonial changes, leading to diverse contemporary identities.

Culturally, cattle are central to Hima life. Cattle ownership informs wealth, status, and many ceremonial practices, including bridewealth and rites of passage. Traditional attire, music, dance, and communal activities often center on cattle and pastoralist livelihoods, though modern socioeconomic changes have altered practices in many communities.

In the present day, Hima communities face urbanization, education, and intermarriage, which have nuanced traditional distinctions. People may identify specifically as Hima, as Banyankole, or as part of broader regional or national identities, reflecting a mix of heritage, language, and contemporary life.