BAKISIMBA

BAKISIMBA-BUGANDAN GROOVE

The Bakisimba dance is the oldest and most common among the Buganda community in Uganda. It is danced by both men and women for entertainment on almost any occasion when a celebration is not contrary to the purpose. Musical accompaniment for Bakisimba includes the nseege (gourd rattles), engombe (trumpets made of cow horns), and four drums: Mbuutu, Nankasa, Mpuunyi and the Ngalabi. The Bakisimba dance emphasizes waist movements and intricate footwork.

Dancers wear animal skins around their waists to exaggerate these movements, while ankle bells are attached to emphasize the foot work. The choreography is divided in to two parts. The first part is slow and graceful, while the second part, referred to as Muwogola, is fast and builds to a climax. Nankasa is the cousin to Bakisimba and is purely used for entertainment as well. The attire and musical are the same as Bakisimba. The only difference is the speed and form, Nankasa is done at a very fast speed from beginning to end and is either played before Bakisimba or after Muwogola. Source: Dambe

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ORIGIN OF THE BAKISIMBA DANCE

A former Bugandan king (kabaka) greatly enjoyed the local beer, tonto omwenge. Tonto is made from banana plants, and the name is taken from the Lugandan word tontomera, which means, "Do not knock me". At one gathering, this king drank too much of the beer and became quite happy. (In Buganda, it is taboo to say that the king is drunk; you can only say that the king is very happy.) The king then started praising the people who had made the beer, saying abaakisiimba, which means "those who planted the bananas", and bebaakiwoomya, "they made it delicious". The musicians at this gathering created an abaakisiimba rhythm that imitated the words of the king, who was so happy and relaxed that he began to move and dance. While the musicians mimicked the king's words on their drums, the women imitated the king's movements, which eventually became a dance that is now performed throughout Buganda by all generations. There are three major movements in this dance: the first is Baakisiimba, the second is Nankasa, and the third is Muwogola.

MUSIC IN BUGANDA

The functions of music in Buganda society are vast; they are used for initiations, funeral rites, weddings, war, hunting, manual work, worshipping, healing rituals and entertainment. Musical instruments include idiophones such as xylophones, aerophones such as trumpets and horns, membrane instruments such as drums, and chordophones such as harps and lyres. In Buganda music is an educational tool. Before classroom education was introduced to Buganda in the year 1862, teaching often consisted of people gathering around a fire in the middle of the village Source: Dambe

Music is usually accompanied by songs that often contained messages. Master musician sing songs that discourage cheating, selfishness, lack of cooperation, violence and laziness. They also teach respect of elders, hard work, reliability, patience, discipline, honesty, love and cooperation. Music is also played in the palace of the Kabaka (Buganda King) and is used as a means of communication. Music is often used to relay messages from the people to the Kabaka and from the Kabaka to the people. It is very difficult for the common folk, or those who do not have royal blood or lineage in them, to reach the Kabaka and therefore it is common for someone to hire a musician to create a song for the Kabaka. The musi cian will develop a song around the message to be communicated to the Kabaka. When there is a function at the palace, the musician will go and play the song for the Kabaka.

Music accompanies the traditional dances of the Baganda. There are four major types of dances that are danced in the palace. They are: 1) Bakisimba, 2) Nankasa, 3) Mbaga, and 4) Maggunju.

Music in Buganda is derived from the local language, Luganda. It is a tonal language and melodic patterns of music are derived from the intonation of the spoken language. Rhythmic patterns are guided by the verbal flow and accents of the language. Source :Dambe

TEXT SOURCE
Dambe education

BUSUUTI THE GOMESI - BUGANDAN IDENTITY

Busuuti/Gomesi aka gomes is the official dress for women in Buganda. The busuuti/gomesi is very elaborate, with a square neck adorned with two buttons, pointy sleeves, full skirt, and a huge sash. There are many historical contradictions about the origin of the busuuti/gomesi. Contemporary history indicates that the it was originally made for Gayaza schoolgirls in around 1940s and 50s. Their first school uniform was a cotton sheet, which they wrapped around their breasts and tied to the waist with a strip of cloth. But the uniform often slipped off whenever the girls bent down to dig. Their missionary tutors thought it was indecent for a woman to expose her breasts. So, they had an Indian tailor sew out the busuuti/gomesi. Two decades later, the gomesi became a popular outfit at all traditional functions for the Baganda and later the Basoga, Iteso, Alur and Japadhola.

But some people, especially the Baganda, dispute this version of history and say the busuuti/gomesi existed long before the coming of the missionaries and that missionaries only improved the existing design made from bark cloth and changed the name to claim the discovery.

The women of the groom's clan line up for the procession

The men of the groom's clan line up for the procession into the future in-law's compound. The men are wearing Kanzu


She-goat given to the bride's parents


Photos by Sarah

The busuuti/gomesi is usually worn during festivals and ceremonial occasions. For example during the engagement ceremony Kwanjula, weddings and funerals. The bussuti/gomesi is worn more often as a day to day garment by women in rural parts of Uganda.

Young women prefer contemporary garments because the busuuti/gomesi does not enhance their feminine body curves and hips as they would prefer. To the point where it is alleged that some women stuff blankets underneath the busuuti/gomesi to enhance their curves and hips.

ALICIA KEYS The singer, an ambassador for the HIV/AIDS organization Keep a Child Alive, which provides medication, nutrition and childcare throughout six African countries, visited the Masaka Healthcare Center in Uganda, donning a "gomesi," the country's traditional dress.

TEXT SOURCES AND MORE INFORMATION

Tracing the Origin f the Gomesi/Busuuti

Should we have a national dress?

Photo by Lukas Vermeer

Traditional Marriages in Uganda: Marriages in Buganda- Kwanjula

SYLVIA NAGGINDA, THE NNABAGEREKA OF BUGANDA

Sylvia Nagginda, The Nnabagereka of the Buganda Kingdom was born in the United Kingdom, raised in Uganda and lived in the U.S. for 18 years before returning to Uganda to take up her role as Queen of Buganda. Whilst living in the U.S. A. she earned her Associates Degree with Honours from City University of New York, a Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University and a Master of Arts degree, with Distinction, from New York Institute of Technology. Her major field of study was Public Relations, including economics, journalism and corporate communications. The Nnabagereka previously worked at U.N. headquarters in New York as well as a various management consulting and communications firms in the U.S.

Sylvia and the Kabaka had known each other for a number of years, but their romance blossomed in 1998, leading to the announcement of their engagement on Valentines’ Day February 14, 1999. On that day, Kabaka Mutebi formally introduced Sylvia to members of his family and the Katikkiro. On March 14^th, the Katikkiro led a 20-person delegation to Sylvia's family to pay their respects on behalf of the Kabaka. On March 15, 1999; the Katikkiro, during a historic sitting of the Lukiiko at Mmengo, formally informed the whole of Buganda about the forthcoming marriage.
On August 27, 1999 Sylvia Nagginda, married Kabaka Mutebi II in a historical ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral, Namirembe.

Her Royal Highness Nnabagereka Sylvia Nagginda married the Kabaka (King) of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, the traditional and cultural leader of the almost 7 million Baganda people living in Uganda.

Since becoming Queen in 1999, The Nnabagereka has been active in public health and development activities in the Buganda Kingdom and across Uganda. She runs the Nnabagereka Development Trust Foundation and is the patron of various organizations.

WATCH THE NNABEGEREKA GIVING A SPEECH AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS USA
The Nnabegereka at the Library of Congress Washington DC USA

MORE INFORMATION
The Nnabagereka of Buganda at Bugunda.com

AMIN DADA

"His Excellency President for Life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Doctor Idi Amin, VC, DSO, MC, Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea, and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular."

Idi Awo-Ongo Angoo, a.k.a. Idi Amin Dada, was born on May 17, 1928, at about 4.00 a.m., to proud parents, Andreas Nyabire Amin Dada and Assa Aatte, in the police barracks in Kampala (what is now the International Conference Centre). Idi Amin’s parents separated in 1931, following suspicions that Idi Amin had been fathered by one Daudi Chwa, rather than by Andreas Nyabire Amin Dada. He grew up with his maternal family. After moving to the home of Sheikh Ahmed Hussein, in the present Semuto town, (where he lived from 1938 to 1940) Amin started reciting the Koran. Amin received little formal education when he was growing up; he tried to register to an elementary school, but Nubians were not admitted. At the age of twelve, Amin participated in the Nubian riots against discrimination. In 1941 Amin joined Garaya Islamic school at Bombo, and again excelled in reciting the Koran under Mohammed Al Rajab, from 1941 –1944.

In 1946 he joined the King’s African Rifles, KAR (Britain’s colonial African troops), and served in Burma, Somalia, Kenya (during the British suppression of the Mau Mau) and Uganda. Although he was considered a skilled, if somewhat overeager, soldier, Amin developed a reputation for cruelty. In 1952 his battalion was deployed against the Mau Mau, in Kenya. Amin attained the rank of corporal that same year. In 1953 he became a sergeant for his role in starting the mobile foot patrols in the forests occupied by the Mau Mau. While fighting them, it is alleged that Amin had a son and a daughter with two local Kikuyu women.

Idi Amin rose through the ranks, reaching sergeant-major before finally being made an effendi, the highest rank possible for a Black African serving in the British army. He was also an accomplished sportsman, holding Uganda’s light heavyweight boxing championship from 1951 to 1960.

Amin waves to thousands of Ugandans gathered at a ceremony in Kampala in 1971.

Idi Amin Dada came to political power on January 25, 1971. Whilst the then president, Milton Obote, attended a Commonwealth meeting in Singapore, Amin led a coup d'etat, and took control of the country, declaring himself president. He was eventually responsible for the torture and murder of approximately 300,000 people. Amin personally ordered the execution of the Anglican Archbishop of Uganda, Janani Luwum, the chief justice, the chancellor of Makerere College, governor of the Bank of Uganda, and several of his own parliamentary ministers.

Idi Amin called himself "a pure son of Africa," but his bizarre and murderous eight years as president of Uganda typified the worst of the continent's military dictatorships. Popular legend has Amin involved in Kakwa blood rituals and cannibalism.

Also in 1972, Amin declared “economic war” on Uganda’s Asian population - they dominated Uganda’s trade and manufacturing sectors, as well as forming a significant proportion of the civil service. Seventy thousand Asian holders of British passports were given three months to leave the country - the abandoned businesses were handed over to Amin’s supporters. Amin severed diplomatic ties with Britain and ‘nationalised’ 85 British owned businesses. He also expelled Israeli military advisors, turning instead to Colonel Muammar Muhammad al-Gadhafi, of Libya, and the Soviet Union for support.

Mr. Amin is carried by four British businessmen during a party for diplomats in 1975. A Swedish businessman holds an umbrella in the manner of servants who once shielded tribal rulers from the sun.

In October 1978, with the assistance of Libyan troops, Amin attempted to annex Kagera, the northern province of Tanzania (which shares a border with Uganda). The Tanzanian president, Julius Nyerere, responded by sending troops into Uganda, and, with the aid of rebel Ugandan forces, the Ugandan capital of Kampala was captured. Amin fled to Libya, where he stayed for several years. After a fallout with Ghadafi, Amin relocated to Saudi Arabia, where he was to remain in exile.

Madina, Amin's fourth wife was a dancer when he met her. Madina pleaded, with no success, to Uganda President Yoweri Museveni that Amin be allowed to return and die in his native Uganda.

On 16 August, 2003 Idi Amin Dada died in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The cause of death was reported to be ‘multiple organ failure’. Although the Ugandan government announced that his body could be buried in Uganda, he was quickly buried in Saudi Arabia. He was never tried for gross abuse of human rights.

“Dad is the only person that has ever been accused and sentenced, incarcerated by opinion, without it ever reaching any court house,” said Jaffar Amin. Jaffar is the 10th of Idi Amin’s 40 official children, by seven official wives. “Father had quite an appetite for women...It’s very African, actually.”Jaffar Amin has broken the family's vow of silence, and is writing a book to counter his father's reputation as a brutal buffoon and cruel eccentric, following the release of the Oscar winning film The Last King of Scotland.

The Last King of Scotland is an Idi Amin biopic worth watching.

MORE INFORMATION

Big Daddy and his women By Richard M. Kavuma “The story of Amin and his women is one that turns bizarre, comic and brutal.” Click here
Rejected then taken in by dad; a timeline By Fred Guweddeko Click here
Idi Amin Dada: A Hero in Ugandan Sports? Click here

GLOBALISATION AT THE OSCARS

DJIMON HOUNSOU

Djimon Gaston Hounsou born April 24, 1964 in Cotonou, Benin. Former model, emigrated to France in 1977 and was discovered by Thierry Mugler, French fashion designer. After a career in modeling, landed a part in Without You I’m Nothing (1990), then receiving plum roles in Amistad (1997), Gladiator (2000), and with In America (2002) he became the first African (with Charlize Theron of South Africa, for a different film in the same year) to be nominated for an Oscar.

BLOOD DIAMOND Djimon Hounsou as Solomon Vandy stars in a story about a farmer, a smuggler and a syndicate of businessmen who match wits over the possession of a priceless diamond.

CHARLIZE THERON

Charlize Theron was born in Benoni, South Africa. She grew up as the only child on her family’s farm. Learned the some of her 8 languages from staff on this family farm. Her parents also owned a road construction business at the same time. At the age of 6, Charlize took up ballet and began to think of going professional. She would soon take her dancing ability to higher levels, going professional in the town of Johannesburg. At 13, in Johannesburg, her parents enrolled her in a boarding school. When she was 15, her father attacked her mother, and her mother shot her father in self-defense. Her father died, and her mother was not charged in the incident.

Charlize Theron and Nelson Mandela

Charlize began her modeling career in 1991 aged 16 when she won a local modeling contest. She started modeling in Europe and came to New York a year later. She didn’t like being a model though, and decided to try her luck with ballet, which had been her biggest passion as a child. Unfortunately, a knee injury prevented her from dancing. Her mother bought her a one-way ticket to Los Angeles in 1994 and Charlize started visiting all of the agents on Hollywood Bulevard but without any luck. She went to the bank to cash a check for $500 she’d got from her mother and became furious when she learned that the bank could not cash her check because it was an out-state check. She made a scene and an agent gave her his card, in exchange that she learn the language, which she did by watching soap operas on TV. Her first role was as a young mother in a park in a B-film in 1995, but it was a non-speaking role with three seconds of screen time. Her next role was as Helga in 2 Days in the Valley (1996), which landed her the role of Tina in That Thing You Do! (1996). Since then, she has starred in movies like The Devils Advocate (1997); The Cider House Rules (1999); and The Italian Job (2003). An important day in her life was February 29, 2004 when she was awarded with her first Academy Award for her performance in Monster (2003).

THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND

The Last King of Scotland starring Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Kerry Washington, is an incredible twist of fate. A Scottish doctor (McAvoy) on a Ugandan medical mission becomes irreversibly entangled with one of the world’s most barbaric figures: Idi Amin (Whitaker). Impressed by Dr. Garrigan’s brazen attitude in a moment of crisis, the newly self-appointed Ugandan President Amin hand picks him as his personal physician and closest confidante. Though Garrigan is at first flattered and fascinated by his new position, he soon awakens to Amin’s savagery - and his own complicity in it. Horror and betrayal ensue as Garrigan tries to right his wrongs and escape Uganda alive.

TSOTSI

Set amidst the sprawling Johannesburg township of Soweto - where survival is the primary objective - TSOTSI traces six days in the life of a ruthless young gang leader who ends up caring for a baby accidentally kidnapped during a car-jacking.

SWAHILI

Swahili is the most extensively used Bantu languages spoken in many areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. Swahili is a language that developed and spread through the trading links that the coastal towns had with the interior of Africa and with the land around the Indian Ocean. The expansion of the trade routes between the island of Zanzibar, the coast and the interior gave an impetus to the use of Swahili as a means of communication between people at trading places who did not share the same ethnic languages. It is in Tanzania that the use of Swahili is widespread as most of the major trade routes went through Tanzania.

USEFUL SWAHILI WORDS

The best way to acquire good Swahili pronunciation is to imitate a native speaker.

Hakuna Matata- No Worries
Hujambo - how are you?
Sijambo - I am fine
Mchana- Day time
Chakula - Food
Twanga - Pound
Leo - Today
Jana - Yesterday
Njaa - Hunger
Maendeleo - Development/progress
Bibi - Lady
Choo - Toilet
Sipendi - I don't like
Mtalii - Tourist
Mzungu - White person
Marekani - USA
Ulaya - Europe
Pole -An expression of condolence
Tazama - Look
Kwanza - First of all

Moja 1 Sita 6
Mbili 2 Saba 7
Tatu 3 Nane 8
Nne 4 Tisa 9
Tano 5 Kumi 10