Buganda's traditional dances - Cultura Safaris in Uganda

Buganda is the largest Bantu  ethnic group in Uganda and it was the first group to get civilized.The Kingdom of Buganda is compossed of numerous clans each with its own totem.They are mainly found in the central region of Uganda where the capital city (Kampala) is found.

Baganda dance

Baganda people have got very many local songs and different types of dances done depending on the ceremony taking place.These dances are said to have originated from the clans during the early days.Each clan strived hard to get it's own dance in order to be more unique than other clans.Today Buganda has the highest number of traditional dances than any other tribe in Uganda.

In Buganda,traditional dances are done on various grounds like; Churches (when praising God),celebrating life-cycle rituals and rites,celebrate a good harvest,labor celebrations and achievements,population education,a way of earning a living and some people do it for rcreation purposes.
The uniqueness of Baganda dances has attracted tourists from different parts of the world who enjoy and sometimes join the dancers.

Though there are various dances in Buganda,the most common dances are 3 and these are;Muwogola,Nankasa and Bakisimba.The most common attribute about all of these dances is that they involve a circular movement of the waist,moving on toes and spreading of hands in either forward or upward motion.These dances are done on sounds from the drums and each dance has its special sound on which its being performed.Singing and dancing must follow the beats from the drums.


A cultural safari to Uganda is one of those experiences that a visitor can never forget because of these Baganda dances.Women put on beautiful costumes that cover their shoulders  and a wide free kikoyi that allows free movement of the legs.On their waists,they tie a sash that improves the visibility of the moves as the waist is being rotated.
For the case of male,they put on kikoyi too and this only covers the mid calf so as to allow vigorous dance moves.Men do the energetic part of the dance by side kicking and staggering as if they are drunk.

Baganda use various types of African instruments to produce rhythmic sounds like drums of different sizes (Empunyi-that produces a central beat,Namunjoloba-a small drum,Embuutu-large drum,Enjalabi-acylindrical long drum,Amadinda-xylophones,Endigidi-tube fiddle,Entongoli-boe lyre,Enombe-horn,Ensaasi-shakers and Endere-fluite.

These dances are respected in Buganda and Baganda children are taught how to dance at an early age.It is rare to find a Muganda man or woman who can not dance any of the Baganda dances.
A visitor can always visit Uganda during any time of the year and enjoy these dances live.