Professor records history in Uganda

A Troy English professor is halfway through a six-month trip to Uganda where he is attempting to verify, record and publish the histories of the region that, up to this point, have only been passsed down orally. 

Dr. Richard Scott Nokes, or “Professor Okot,” as he’s called by students in Uganda, is Troy University’s most recent recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship, a program that allows educators, researchers and scholars to travel internationally to advance their work in the field. At Troy, Nokes specializes in Medieval European history, but his curiosities in the rest of the world made him realize how loud the historical voice of Europe was compared to other countries. 

“I’ve always been interested in what we call global medievalism, but sometimes we don’t know, once we get out of Europe, what was going on in the rest of the world,” Nokes said. “When I started looking for information on sub-Saharan Africa, there was almost nothing.” 

That was what inspired him to apply for this trip to Uganda, where he plans to research archives and speak to local storytellers to uncover the history of the country and the surrounding area so it can be electronically published.  

It isn’t as easy as simply signing up, arriving and beginning his research, though. In fact, the first time he applied, his application was rejected during the final stage of the approval process. 

“They typically won’t tell you why your application was rejected,” Nokes said. “Although, usually, if it fails at that point, it’s either a budgetary issue or a matter of international politics. 

“[Knowing this,] I applied again, and during that next year began working on other projects with my potential host institution, Kyambogo University. The second time I applied, I was accepted, but as I often tell people, the process of application and the contacts I made were so valuable that even if I had not been awarded a Fulbright, it was worth it.” 

The application process was just the first of many hurdles for Nokes. The national Ugandan licensing process that will allow Nokes to begin his research is still underway, meaning he can’t begin until it is finished.  

In the meantime, though, he has been using his expertise in digital publishing as the founder of Witan Publishing, and artificial intelligence as the director of Troy’s AI Forward Initiative, to teach classes and seminars at Kyambogo and grow connections at the University. 

“Even though I can’t begin my official research, so I can’t begin recording storytellers or digging through archives, I’ve been making connections in the community with storytellers and scholars who have already done a great deal of work on the topic but haven’t been able to get it noticed outside of Uganda,” Nokes said. 

He has also had the opportunity to explore the country and many of its kingdoms, historical sites and sacred areas, while frequently posting updates to his Instagram and Facebook to document his travels. 

“One [trip] that stands out was when I was able to go to the sacred origin space of the Sheep Clan of the Buganda Kingdom,” Nokes said. “Uganda has many tribes divided into kingdoms that have cultural authority – the national government has political authority – and I tagged along with some scholars doing field work in the Kingdom of Buganda.  

“By the end of the trip our feet were covered in mud, since you can’t wear your shoes in the sacred site, but we were able to hear the stories of the mystical roots of a centuries old tree there.”  

Despite having that experience and many others like it on his trip, Nokes highlighted the people he’s met above any other aspect so far. 

“I’m meeting some truly fabulous people,” Nokes said. “We visited the Kasubi Tombs, the burial site for the kabakas (kings) of Buganda.  

“One of the guards of the tombs is 105 years old and has been guarding the tombs since he was a boy. It was amazing to meet someone who was more than just a witness to history – he’s a part of history himself.  

This research can’t wait forever; when he passes away, his stories will disappear with him. When I meet these people, I feel privileged in the trust they put in me to preserve their stories before they are gone.” 

Nokes also mentioned he felt a certain privilege and pride in Troy University throughout the length of his trip. 

“I’ve met other people on similar research projects, and everyone has been impressed with the support I’ve gotten from Troy University, especially the way our university understands what it means to work abroad,” Nokes said. “I brought a bunch of Troy pennants to give away as gifts, and people are so excited when they receive one.  

“In fact, I’ve been surprised how often when I meet people here, they already know the name of Troy University, but they don’t know the names of any other schools in Alabama.” 

While some may not share his interest in medieval literature, the one thing Nokes hopes his students will take away from this trip is an appreciation for the opportunities available at Alabama’s International University. 

“Working at Troy, I’ve had the opportunity to teach and study in the Americas, Europe and Asia, and now being able to live and research in Africa is a dream come true,” Nokes said.

“If you want to just do a guided tour of a country, anyone can do that by spending the money, but if you want to really get into a culture, meet real people, have unique experiences and make life-long friends around the world, that’s something you only get through a university like Troy.” 

With around three months left in his time in Uganda, Nokes looks forward to beginning the official, recorded research and creating even more connections at Kyambogo.