Before colonial maps and British explorers gave it the name Lake Victoria, in honor of Queen Victoria, Africa’s largest lake was already deeply known, respected, and named by the local communities that lived around it for centuries.
Among the Luo people, who still live around the lake in western Kenya, the lake was called “Nam Lolwe” — which loosely translates to “Endless Water” or “Expanse of Water.” This name reflected the lake’s vastness and mystery. To those who grew up near it, Nam Lolwe wasn’t just water; it was life itself. It provided fish, a means of travel, and even spiritual symbolism. Children were told stories about it, elders respected its moods, and fishermen lived by its rhythms.
In Uganda, the Baganda people referred to the lake as “Nalubaale”, meaning “home of the gods.” The lake was considered sacred, tied to the divine, and was a vital part of Buganda’s traditional belief systems. It wasn’t just a geographical feature — it was a living being with power and personality. People offered sacrifices and gave thanks to the gods of Nalubaale for rain, fertility, and protection.
When British explorer John Hanning Speke first saw the lake in 1858, he decided to name it Lake Victoria, after the ruling monarch back in England — Queen Victoria. It became a textbook case of how colonizers replaced African heritage with European names, often ignoring or erasing indigenous identities and spiritual significance tied to places.
But the original names — Nam Lolwe and Nalubaale — still live on in the hearts and tongues of the people. In Kenya, radio stations, boat services, and businesses still proudly use the name Nam Lolwe. In Uganda, shrines and traditions still speak of Nalubaale. These names remind us that before maps were redrawn and names overwritten, Africa already had a rich understanding of her landscapes.
Remembering these names isn’t just about history — it’s about honoring a legacy that still flows in the veins of communities that call the lake home.