UGANDA: Happening Today "Bakisimba Traditional Dance Workshop" At The National Theatre

Bakisimba is a Kiganda Dance here is alittle insight on how this dance came to life please enjoy 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. This free event happens every last Saturday of the month so feel free to mark your calendar because every month it will bring you different traditonal- urnab fused workshop so watch the space. This month Kaddu Micheal from Keiga Dance Company will be our tutor for BAKISIMBA, expect lots of activities so come with everyone.  Happening today 3-6pm at the National Theatre (Uganda National Cultural Centre)