Concept Note: By mid-2020 the COVID 19 pandemic had almost forced the creative and performing arts industry to grind to a halt. Social distancing and health protocol guidelines saw the closure of most of the performing venues, thus cutting off the main revenue-generating activities of many artists. However, a number of urban-based performers were able to…
Act One Artiste: Johnstone Mukabi and Omutibo Stars Genre: Omutibo Location: Small Matters Park – Shikangania Field Notes: After an early breakfast the following morning we drove from Ilesi to Mukumu Girls’ High School, situated along the Kakamega-Kisumu road. Our first recording of the day was to be with Johnstone Mukabi, son of the legendary guitarist…
DAY 2: Tuesday, 08 March 2022 Artiste: Obasie Palnyang Band Genre: Iteso grooves Location: Josephine Garden – Ilesi Field Notes: We woke up to a misty morning on the second day of our recording. The plan for the day was to record the Obasie Palnyang band. Seeing the dark clouds hanging over the horizon we decided not…
DAY 3: Wednesday, 09 March 2022 Act One Artiste: Peter Akwabi Genre: Omutibo Location: Dunga Hill Camp – Kisumu. Field Notes: We left Khayega for Kisumu at 10:00am and made a quick stop at Kiboswa ‘city’ on our way to the Lakeside city. This historic center, inhabited by the Luo, Luhya and the Kalenjin tribes of…
DAY 4: Thursday, 10 March 2022 Act One: Ontitri Bukundo Genre : Obukano Location: Treat House Resort – Rongo Field Notes: It was a smooth drive all the way from Kisumu to Rongo using the newly re-carpeted Katito-Kendu Bay road. We reached our destination in no time, given the vastly improved road network in the…
Before we bring you our next update on the progress of the Naizungwe drums, James Isabirye, who is co-ordinating the project gives us some background information about the drums and the traditions from which they come: Where do they originally come from and who played them? Uganda has about 65 ethnic societies according to the 1995 constitution….
