Of Bakiga Cultural Dance – ‘Ekizino’

#WinterABC2020 #Day14

One cultural aspect from my country/community

I am from the Eastern part of the African continent and Uganda is my country. My background is traced back to one of the Bantu ethnic tribes in South-western Uganda and that is; The Bakiga tribe whose cultural dance I am writing about today.

The form of dance for the Bakiga is called the Ekizino. Ekizino is a royal dance from the Bakiga people of Kigezi (now Kabale, Kanungu, Kisoro and Rukungiri Districts) also known as “The Switzerland of Africa” because of its weather and landscape similar to most European countries. Temperatures at night readily drop to 4°C – 10°C.

According to some researchers, it is believed that during colder months, Ekizino is the warm-up dance. Considering the fact that Kigezi is a hilly region, the men must jump around for a while to get warm just before going out early to do farming. They also jump around after work also to stretch their muscles. In ancient times, the bakiga people also used to stamp the ground until they found signs of water.
Therefore, this very vigorous dance represents their jumping, stamping and is meant to demonstrate stability and strength. Women participate in this vigorous dance along as well, with a more elegant display of their arms.
It calls for lots of energies and strength thereby getting the dancers to sweat profusely.

Musical instruments like Omukuli (flute), Amakondere (trumpets), Endingidi (fiddle) and Engoma (drums) are used to create the music to which bakiga dance Drums bring the power that drives the performance and the rhythm of the vigorous dance.

Traditionally, for this dance people wore cow skin as lower skirting for women and a crop-top to cover the upper body. Men had small cover under and skin across their chests. Furthermore, the Ekizino is danced during Celebrations of marriage, victory and for hospitality and happiness.
Attend any bakiga function or visit any of their community and you will witness the dance. Trust me, the day you participate in the Ekizino, you will leave with sweat flowing as though there is a river source in your body. I sometimes call it a healthy dance because it allows toxins to get out of our bodies.