If you’ve never eaten (or sang a song about) Ugandan food, you’re missing out!
When we chant the Ugandan “Keenene” in class we empower kids to demand the Ugandan food they want to eat — “I want to eat raspberries! I want to eat raspberries!” If we were to chant in Uganda, kids might demand matoke (a starchy cousin of a banana), ugali/posho (cornmeal porridge used to sop up stew) and chapati (sweet South Asian flat bread). Or they may very well demand raspberries.
Let’s begin with Bernard Kabanda….
Going to Uganda in All Around This World classes gives us the chance to enjoy some of our favorite forms of African music, such as Kadongo Kamu (“one guitar”), a modern genre that finds its inspiration in traditional Ugandan forms. In this video, enjoy the beautiful music of Bernard Kabanda, a Kadongo Kamu pioneer.
The first country we’re going to meet in our African season of online classes for kids is Uganda. While we acknowledge that this East African nation doesn’t always get the best international press, Uganda’s densely fertile land and its diverse yet tightly-woven ethnic groups — not to mention its energetic and melodic music— reveal an optimistic, albeit complex society that aspires to put the past behind it and forge boldly into the future.
This week in class we sing “Tulo Tulo,” a Ugandan lullaby, which we first learned from Eastern Uganda’s Abayudaya Jews.: “Tulo tulo, go to sleep my pretty baby, dream sweetly through the night….” Enjoy this performance of “Tulo Tulo” by Philly Lutaaya, one of Uganda’s most admired musicians. Before Lutaaya passed away in 1989, a victim of AIDS, he became one of the first prominent voices in Africa to speak out about the disease. Toward the end of his life he performed and lectured in schools and churches around the nation, speaking for the dignity of people living with HIV. His last album was the before-its-time, stunningly frank, “Alone and Frightened.”
In class this week we’re singing work songs from around the world. Today we go to Uganda where we slash the brush to clear the field, plant the seeds, grow the crops and all harvest them together. The song is “Nsa We,” which means “slash it.”
I think I know your favorite Ugandan dance . . . . .
Earlier this week we learned about the Amagunjju, an exuberant royal court dance from Uganda. I hope you all danced with me, and didn’t mind looking ridiculous. The dancers in this video look anything but ridiculous dancing the Amagunjju. If you’re going to dance the Amagunjju around your house, don’t worry if you dance like me. On the other hand, if you dance it for the king of Uganda, you’d better know how to strut your stuff.
When we visit Uganda we must try this Ugandan royal dance….
This week in class we dance the exciting Ugandan royal dance called the Amagunjju. Once upon a time the Kabaka (King) of the Obutiko (“mushroom”) clan of the Baganda died and didn’t leave an heir. He did, however, leave many pregnant wives. Medicine men declared that one wife was carrying the Kabaka-to-be. She sat on the throne with the idea that her unborn baby was truly ruling Buganda. When the boy was born, his uncle Gunjju created a dance meant to keep him constantly happy . . . a crying king brings bad luck!
