Acholi dances
<b>Lokeme:</b>The Acholi ballet. It involves girls dancing with clay pots on their heads. Long ago, this was a courtship dance, where men would go for the woman who could carry the most pots.
Lokeme:The Acholi ballet. It involves girls dancing with clay pots on their heads. Long ago, this was a courtship dance, where men would go for the woman who could carry the most pots. She was thought to have more tact and could run her family well. The dance originated from Teso and it is also popular among the Langi. Moving on their tiptoes, girls gyrate their waists and their beauty is enhanced by strings of waist beads that also make sensual sounds.
Larakaraka: The Also known as Lamokowang, it is popularly identified by the sound of the calabashes as they are stricken with wire. It is the oldest and most joyous Acholi dance in which maturing boys first make advances towards the girls. It was originally done in the nude to make it more erotic and also to expose any ill features like body rashes or malformed genitals. Today, the dancers are more decent, with skins or skirts. Watching Amone performing larakaraka, one would feel like getting an Acholi bride.
Bwola: The A royal dance often done in honour of the Rwot (chief). The men dress in elaborate ostrich feathers, iron bells and leopard skins. Amone says that traditionally it was a gazelle skin for the groins or nothing! Long ago, Acholi men and women also had to bare their chest and legs before their chiefs.
Otole:The The war dance. Otole was done during raids or attacks on other villages. A fragment of it has passed into Bunyoro. You will be fascinated with the vigour these dancers wield their spears and shields.
Men between 30 and 50 years do Otole. Tough women can also join. They smear themselves with ochre or mud and wield small battle-axes. Talk of Amazons!
Dingidingi: The most modern Acholi dance, it emerged in the early 20th century from Palabek. Another kind of Acholi ballet, the girls wear shimmering golden cloths; the boys often wear white and stay in one place plucking at the instruments. You’ll always be fascinated by watching Dingidingi. Ever seen crested cranes in a courtship dance? Expect no less as the girls prance about lightly but vigorously and swagger their long graceful necks.
Ends
Larakaraka: The Also known as Lamokowang, it is popularly identified by the sound of the calabashes as they are stricken with wire. It is the oldest and most joyous Acholi dance in which maturing boys first make advances towards the girls. It was originally done in the nude to make it more erotic and also to expose any ill features like body rashes or malformed genitals. Today, the dancers are more decent, with skins or skirts. Watching Amone performing larakaraka, one would feel like getting an Acholi bride.
Bwola: The A royal dance often done in honour of the Rwot (chief). The men dress in elaborate ostrich feathers, iron bells and leopard skins. Amone says that traditionally it was a gazelle skin for the groins or nothing! Long ago, Acholi men and women also had to bare their chest and legs before their chiefs.
Otole:The The war dance. Otole was done during raids or attacks on other villages. A fragment of it has passed into Bunyoro. You will be fascinated with the vigour these dancers wield their spears and shields.
Men between 30 and 50 years do Otole. Tough women can also join. They smear themselves with ochre or mud and wield small battle-axes. Talk of Amazons!
Dingidingi: The most modern Acholi dance, it emerged in the early 20th century from Palabek. Another kind of Acholi ballet, the girls wear shimmering golden cloths; the boys often wear white and stay in one place plucking at the instruments. You’ll always be fascinated by watching Dingidingi. Ever seen crested cranes in a courtship dance? Expect no less as the girls prance about lightly but vigorously and swagger their long graceful necks.
Ends