The Adhola people, also known as Jopadhola, are a Nilotic ethnic group of Luo peoples that live in Tororo District of Eastern Uganda and comprise about eight percent of the country's total population.
Jopadhola traditional justice
Clans reproduce their notion of an independent court called koti using an abridged legal doctrine of separation of powers, and partially mimicking lower level government(local councils) and judicial features. Unlike some other small Luo tribes, this self-imposed isolation helped them to maintain their language and culture amidst Bantu and Ateker communities.
Legend has it that Owiny, the leader of the Kenyan Luo was the brother of Adhola the leader of the Jopadhola who decided to settle in Tororo instead of going along with his brother towards Kenya and Tanzania.
Marriage
The Jopadhola marriages were arranged and men were not expected to hunt for women. As soon as a father bore a baby boy, his responsibility was to look for a parent with a new born baby girl where a strong relationship bond is built between the two families. Thereafter, the boy's parents constantly visits the girl's family and ceremonies are organized. Once the girl's parents agree to a hand in marriage, the father of the boy puts a bracelet on the girl's wrist to show she is booked for marriage. Once the boy reaches 18 years and the girl reaches 16 years, the boy's parent shows his son the home of the girl. The boy is expected to go and bring the girl home, a matter that needs force to be applied in case of resistance.
Language
Jopadhola speak a language which is mutually intelligible with Acholi language, Alur language of Uganda and Dholuo language of Kenya.
- Oboth-Ofumbi, A.C.K., Silver Tanga Padhola, East African Literature Bureau, Nairobi, 1959
- Ogot, B.A. History of the southern Luo, East African Publishing House, Nairobi, 1967
- Owor Maureen,"Creating an Independent Traditional Court: A Study of Jopadhola Clan Courts in Uganda" Journal of African Law (2012) 56/2 pp 215–242.