ABSTRACT
Okot p’Bitek was born in Gulu, northern Uganda, where he attended local primary school and Gulu High School before enrolling at Kings College, Budo, for his early university training. An impressive athlete, he first visited Britain in 1956 as a member of the Ugandan national soccer team and availed himself of the opportunity to study. He obtained a Certificate of Education at Bristol University and then a law degree at the University of Wales at Aberystwyth. Finally he obtained a B.Litt. in social anthropology at Oxford University in 1963. He later earned a D.Phil. in religion from the latter university. On his return to Uganda he lectured in social anthropology at the University College at Makerere. His deep interest in Acoli culture was evident throughout his career. He later acknowledged the influence of his mother, a singer and composer, in developing and encouraging an early love of Acoli creative forms. He himself was an accomplished dancer and drummer. In an article on Acoli folk tales, p’Bitek explained that the Acoli had no professional storytellers, and everyone present at a session was expected to relate tales—thus cultivating the young writer’s penchant for self-expression and oratory. He founded the Annual Festival of African Arts in Gulu and served as director of the National Theatre and Cultural Centre in Kampala, Uganda. He was an active proponent of the need to practice and celebrate African culture in both these capacities.
