Karamojong
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The Karamojong or Karimojong, are an ethnic group of agro-pastoral herders who live in the Karamoja region in the north-east of Uganda. They occupy an area equivalent to 1/10th of Uganda. Their main occupation is herding livestock, which has social and cultural importance. Crop growing is a secondary activity, and only in areas where it is practicable.
Due to the aridity of the region, the Karamojong have always practised a sort of pastoral transhumance, where for 3-4 months in a year, they move their livestock to the neighbouring districts in search of water and pasture for their animals. Food and water is always a concern, as is interaction with other tribes.
The Karamojong have been in the middle of various conflicts involving cattle raids. They are an armed group not rare in that region: all or many of their guns are AK47's. The Karimojong are in constant conflict with their neighbours in Uganda, Sudan and Kenya due to frequent cattle raids.
Karamoja is the least developed area of Uganda and its residents, the Karamojong, have a history of belligerence with the government. Some believe all cattle in the world were stolen from Karamoja and that they must fight to reclaim them. The region is Uganda's remotest and least policed.
There are actually many tribes in Karamoja that were assimilated by the Karimojong proper, in the 14-18th century. The Karimojong proper include the Pian, Bokora and Matheniko. Other groups that were assimilated and adopted the Karimojong language and culture include the Jie, Dodoth, Labwor, Tepeth, Oropom, Pore, Nyangia, etc.
