What people say about Singing Wells News
…you indeed communicated not to them only but to rest of the world as well. Thank you so much for reaching out and may God bless you for that, it speaks out the humility in your hearts and your music not only as business but as a calling. I salute once again. Regards to all the team members.” Peter Hoesing, PhD, Music History & Ethnomusicology, Clafin University “I just heard about your project through the Society for Ethnomusicology. Singing Wells…
Health and Safety? Story
…gether on the street while we waited in the car. He was standing right next to the car’s engine, wearing flip flops and no mask during the job (as pictured). But thank goodness for him! We were back on the road in no time. Who needs health and safety. Hannah…
A new type of city Story
…s to see what the capital would be like; this image speaks a lot about the city. The number of ‘proper’ buildings were few and in only the small centre. It was hilly and most of the roads were not built for vehicles. The shops were small shacks mostly and at night stayed open, lit by candle light. There were animals everywhere and make-shift houses, which starkly contrasted to the taller office buildings you could see in the distance. Despite this…
The First Singing Wells Influences Session Story
…also at this point learnt my forth Swahili word (Asante, Jambo and Sawa – Thank you, Welcome and OK) – Nakupenda – meaning I Love You. At this point, Ketebul artist Winyo, who had joined us on the trip as cameraman and artist then also joined in. I quickly re-arranged the microphones and prepared headphones, so that the musicians could hear each other, and we recorded it. Thus the concept of the ‘Influence’ session was born. The recording is here…
Returning to Uganda in Autumn 2013 Story
…em to try new and different styles. Here’s Akello with Amari (featuring the Watmon Cultural Troupe): That’s it. We just wanted to drop you a note to say we’re coming back and to thank you for your support. If you’re interested in Ugandan music and want to support us on the next phase, do let us know! Jimmy…
Day 8: Entebbe to Nairobi and Ketebul Studios Story
…feathers have been replaced by chicken feathers. Traditional axesa are now cheap wooden replicas. This is not the performers fault – the traditional costumes are expensive and hard to access sustainably. This requires government intervention and while we say committed performers it is clear they are struggling. On the positive side, I was incredibly impressed with how well the village elders have engaged the next generation. Every village had a gr…
Day 7 (am) – back to Kampala: Naguru to Entebbe Story
…d more songs with Akello. We asked them to come with us to our next stop: our hotel in Entebbe, purely because we were desperate to have more time with the stunning musicians we met in the city. During the two hour drive to Entebbe we talked with Watmon and his son, Odika Constantine about their family’s interesting past. To be continued………
Singing Wells – The Story So Far News
…financial support to tribal music groups in East Africa. By supporting these artists, we can help them keep their cultural music traditions alive and give them opportunities to gain a sustainable income from their music. Thank you. Preview our book “Victoria, I’ve just received the Singing Wells Project book. It’s fantastic to see what the project is doing ! Thanks for sharing, Nick” Nick Blazquez, President|Africa, DIAGEO plc …
ATTA is following Singing Wells News
…e now following our progress on our website and Facebook. We are delighted that Singing Wells is featured on the front page of their website under the ‘ATTA Likes’ banner! Thank you ATTA – we will keep you posted on our travels in East Africa with news, photos and wonderful music! Victoria…
Northern Uganda: Day 1 – Entebbe to Gulu Story
…, which was fine, as we slowed right down and joined the chaos of the Gulu city center. We pulled into our hotel at around 1910, only 10 minutes or so after our target time. We pulled into the Acholi Inn, unloaded all the equipment to our rooms and quickly feel into a dinner of Nile Specials and Chicken, Pork or Fish in various sauces, accompanied by various carbs, including Posho (the Ugandan version of Ugali)… Then to bed. We’ve arrived. Tomorro…
Day 8: Ketebul Studios with the Otacho Young Stars Story
…wo clips: We focused our recording time on Mr Manager, their quite sincere thank you song to a factory manager that came to their factory and actually did a good job. We always found this song amazing – the group is deadly serious in their thank you to the manager. But in many ways, we kept thinking it is sad that they find it so rare for someone to essentially do his job that they need to write a song. Johnnie, Bishop and Eddie all joined in to s…
Background on the Music of Northern Uganda News
…a variety of styles and from different tribes in Uganda, being the capital city. We know we will visit the Adungu Cultural Troupe however, on the right is an image of one of the players using an Adungu which is a traditional bow harp, taken when Steve and Patrick saw them during the recce for the trip. Below is an image of the Ndere Troupe, who represent the music of the Alur, Acholi, Ateso, Langi, Lugbara, Karamojong and the Batwa (all tribes fro…
Music of Northern Uganda News
…erformance by the Ndere Troupe at their centre in Ntinda, just outside the city centre. The group perform music from all the major tribes of Uganda during a very energetic performance which includes a historical narrative in between songs given by their director, Rwangyezi Stephen. He has a vast knowledge of the cultural history of Uganda which he narrates in a very engaging and captivating style. Steve and Patrick were very impressed by the perfo…
Victoria’s reflections on the music of the Batwa Story
…ed in 2000, initially as a volunteer, and since 2006 he has been their Capacity Building Officer. He tells me about his six children – 3 boys and 3 girls, aged between 14 and 26. The younger three are at school in Kampala and Henry works hard to pay for their education. He’s now a grandfather – his oldest daughter who lives in England has a three year old son who he hasn’t met yet, although his wife is actually in England as we speak, visiting the…
Music of the Kalenjin: video playlist News
…etes as many of the legendary Kenyan long distance runners are Kalenjins, including Kipchoge Keino, chairman of the Kenyan Olympic Committee and the first African to win an Olympic gold medal (Mexico City 1968 in the 1500m). Video playlist The trip was facilitated by the generous support of donors to our charity the Abubilla Music Foundation. …
The Batwa Trail News
…fierce warriors who depended on the forest for shelter, food and medicine thanks to ancient knowledge passed down for generations. When Mgahinga Gorilla National Park was established, the Batwa, a group of indigenous people, were suddenly evicted from the forest and forced to abandon their low-impact, nomadic lifestyle. Now landless, they work for local farmers. The only time they are permitted to re-enter their cherished forest is as tour guides…