Dancers from Buganda performing. Photos by Denis Nsubuga

CULTURE 

KAMPALA - Lovers of traditional culture had a weekend of fun. They had three days of cultural exploration and enjoying aesthetics at the Uganda Museum, Kampala. The fourth edition of the Ekyooto Cultural and Food Festival that ended on Sunday attracted various local and international cultures in Uganda.

From the Central, Western, Northern to Eastern regions, cultural groups showcased their varied and unique traditional cultures. The affair was an exhibition of traditional culture in all its forms, ranging from aspects like fashion, food, music, dance, and drama to history and norms.

 
Various stalls, performances, and people’s fashions created a picturesque scene at the museum grounds, sparking the longing for traditional cultures. Exhibition stalls were hubs for knowledge about different cultures, including uncommon ones like minority ethnic groups, including Batuku, Kebu, and Batwa.

For attendees, it was also fascinating learning about traditional cultures of international communities living in Uganda, including the Turkish, Ethiopian, Indian, and Iranian lifestyles.  

Ethiopians performing

 
Ethiopians emerged the best international culture exhibitor of this edition, having given the audience a nearly wholly experience of their culture; from food, which they served for tasting at no cost.

For the locals, Buganda brought the biggest part of their culture. Buganda food like Luwombo, norms, ways of life, herbs, hand works were on showcase. In a rich exhibition, some of the most hypnotic were the process of making of the local brew, commonly known as Mwenge Bigere, as well as bark cloth making.
 
The climax of every day was the Ekyooto (fireplace) in the evening, which converged various cultures in one circle.

Luwombo from Buganda culture

 

Here, folks shared food, drinks and mostly told stories. Besides songs, comedy, and poetry, folks shared folktales from their different backgrounds and teaching others about their cultures.

Dance and music was the glow of the day time, with Acholi emerging the best culture performing group.