Karamoja
/ˌkærəˈmoʊdʒə/noun
A region of northeastern Uganda, also associated with the Karamojong pastoralist people.
Did you know?The exact origin of “Karamoja” is disputed; popular explanations connect it with the Karamojong ethnonym, but scholarly sources do not securely establish a literal translation.
Etymological Timeline
Precolonial period
Karamojong
Karamojong
“The name of the pastoralist people traditionally inhabiting the region; its internal derivation is debated.”
19th Century
Regional usage
Karamoja
“A geographical name used for the northeastern Ugandan region associated with the Karamojong.”
Late 19th Century
European records
Karamoja
“A rendered form appearing in European geographical and colonial descriptions of the region.”
20th Century
English
Karamoja
“The established English name for the region in Uganda.”
Modern English
English
Karamoja
“A semiarid northeastern Ugandan subregion known for its pastoralist communities and distinctive cultural traditions.”
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