Nsenene facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nsenene
Nsenene look-alike (Ruspolia nitidula)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Ruspolia
Species:	differens
Synonyms
Conocephalus albidonervis Redtenbacher, 1891 Conocephalus exiguus Stål, 1876 Conocephalus lemus Redtenbacher, 1891 Conocephalus longipennis Redtenbacher, 1891 Conocephalus vicinus Walker, 1869 Conocephalus (Homorocoryphus) melanostictus Karny, 1907 Homorocoryphus mediotessellatus Karny, 1917

Nsenene is the Luganda name for Ruspolia differens: a bush cricket (a.k.a. katydids or misnamed "long-horned grasshoppers") in the tribe Copiphorini of the 'cone-head' subfamily.

Distribution and traditional beliefs

This species has long been known as one of the many totems of Buganda Kingdom of Uganda. They were founded by Seruwu Douglass from Ssese Islands in Masaka. This species is a delicacy in central and south-western Uganda, as well as an important source of income. The insect is also found in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Madagascar. Traditionally in Uganda, nsenene were collected by children and women. They were given to the women's husbands in return for a new gomasi (a traditional dress for women). Although the women were made to do the treacherous work of collecting nsenene, they were never allowed to eat them. It was believed that women who consume nsenene would bear children with deformed heads like those of a conocephaline bush cricket. Nowadays, nsenene are consumed by most women in the areas where this insect is traditionally eaten.