A morning exploring the Ugandan National Museum To start the week off right, we spent the morning exploring the Ugandan National Museum, allowing us to get a taste of their culture and traditions. The museum was founded in 1908, and is one of the oldest museums in East Africa. Focusing on the history of Uganda […]
In 2009 Brass for Africa placed brass instruments into the home and helped initiate a music program for the children. The charity funds twice-weekly brass band lessons uniting everyone through the sound of music. Towards the end of the week we were offered the chance to visit a different charity – Brass for Africa, which […]
The Ensaasi forms another section of the percussion family and is also known by the name of Enseege shakers. The Ensaasi form a small part of the Ugandan percussion family and are also known by the name of Enseege shakers. The shakers are made from gourds or shells and are used to accompany other traditional […]
The Engalabi features as part of the Ugandan percussion family and has various names depending on the size and shape, it is also known as a membranophone. The Engalabi is a membranophone instrument and part of the Ugandan percussion family. Traditionally the drum has a head made of reptile skin attached to a large wooden […]
The Endongo is another part of the Ugandan string family; with varying features it is also similar to the Entongoli and Litungu. Known as the lyre of the Ganda, it features a large hemispherical sound-box made from gourd and has a long cylindrical crossbar, of which the lower end extends beyond the base to hold […]
The Endingidi features as part of the Ugandan string family and has various names depending on dialects, it is also known as an Adigirgi. The Endingidi is a very distinctive member of the Ugandan string family, and has various names depending on dialect. It is also known as an Adigirgi. Made up of a single […]
The Empuunyi – otherwise known as the bass drum – is a large member of the Ugandan percussion family. The Empuunyi – otherwise known as the bass drum – is a large member of the Ugandan percussion family, constructed from a large wooden chamber and a cowskin drum head. Others of varying sizes are called […]
The Embuutu forms part of the drum, percussion family; this instrument determines the main melody for dancing. Traditionally these are hand-carved from hardwood trees; nowadays these types of drums are made with pinewood slats tied together like barrels. The Embuutu is considered a so-called “enogma enkazi” (female drum), which is why they are usually decorated […]
The Akadina is part of the Ugandan percussion family; others of varying sizes are called the Akadinda, Entaara and Amadinda. The Akadina is the largest member of a family of Uganda instruments that can be described as a unique set of traditional, handcrafted, xylophone-like melodic instruments. The Akadinda is incredibly rare, and we were lucky […]
Forming part of the Ugandan percussion family; the Akadinda, Entaara and Embaire are sister instruments to the Amadinda. The Amadinda is another popular member of the melodic percussion family from Uganda. The instrument features two ‘shoulders’ carved into the bottom of the instrument, allowing for the keys to stay fixed when they are placed onto […]
