Entogoro

Last updated
Orunyege (Entogor) dance Orunyege.jpg
Orunyege (Entogor) dance

Entogoro, also known as Orunyege, is a traditional courtship dance that is performed by the Batooro people of western Uganda. The dance holds great significance in the Tooro culture, practiced by young adults to select potential partners for marriage, as well as during weddings, initiation ceremonies, and social gatherings. [1] [2] [3] Its name comes from the ebinyege rattles and entogoro rings associated with the dance. [4] [5] [6] [7]

Contents

History

Entogoro has been passed down through generations. Its origins can be traced back to the Bunyoro-Kitara and Tooro Kingdoms. [4] [8] [9]

Dance movements

Entogoro is characterized by the rhythmic shaking of rattles—known as ebinyege—tied on the legs of male dancers and decorative rings—known as entogoro—tied around the waists of female dancers. This dynamic dance showcases the dancers' agility, flexibility, and artistic flair. [1] [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bunyoro</span> Kingdom in Western Uganda

Bunyoro, also called Bunyoro-Kitara, is a traditional Bantu kingdom in Western Uganda. It was one of the most powerful kingdoms in Central and East Africa from the 16th century to the 19th century. It is ruled by the King (Omukama) of Bunyoro-Kitara. The current ruler is Solomon Iguru I, the 27th Omukama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ankole</span> Former Bantu kingdom in south-western Uganda

Ankole was a traditional Bantu kingdom in Uganda and lasted from the 15th century until 1967. The kingdom was located in south-western Uganda, east of Lake Edward.

Omukama wa Bunyoro is the title given to rulers of the East African kingdom of Bunyoro-Kitara. The kingdom lasted as an independent state from the 16th to the 19th century. The Omukama of Bunyoro remains an important figure in Ugandan politics, especially among the Banyoro people of whom he is the titular head. He is closely related to the Omukama of Tooro Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Culture of Uganda</span>

Culture of Uganda is made up of a diverse range of ethnic groups. Lake Kyoga forms the northern boundary for the Bantu-speaking people, who dominate much of East, Central, and Southern Africa. In Uganda, they include the Baganda and several other tribes

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tooro Kingdom</span> Bantu kingdom in midwestern Uganda

The Tooro Kingdom is a Bantu kingdom located within the borders of Uganda. The current Omukama of Tooro is King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV. King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV took to the throne of Tooro kingdom in 1995 at the age of just three years, after the death of his father Omukama Patrick David Matthew Kaboyo Rwamuhokya Olimi III on August 26, 1995, at the age of 50.

Rukirabasaija Omukama Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, commonly known as King Oyo, is the reigning Omukama of Tooro, in Uganda. He was born on 16 April 1992 to King Patrick David Mathew Kaboyo Olimi III and Queen Best Kemigisa Kaboyo. Three and a half years later in 1995, Oyo ascended the throne and succeeded his father to become the 12th ruler of the 180-year-old Kingdom of Tooro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hoima</span> District capital in Western Region, Uganda

Hoima is a city in the Western Region of Uganda. It is the main municipal, administrative, and commercial center of Hoima District. It is also the location of the palace of the Omukama of Bunyoro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Empire of Kitara</span> Legendary empire in the African Great Lakes region

Kitara was a legendary state that covered significant parts of western Uganda and is regularly mentioned in the oral traditions of the Banyoro, Batooro and Banyankole.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kooki</span> African Kingdom

The Chiefdom of Kooki, also known as the Kooki chiefdom, was a pre-colonial African kingdom located within present-day Rakai District of Uganda that existed from approximately 1740 until 1896. The kingdom ceased to exist as an independent state in 1896 when it merged into the British Protectorate of Buganda. Its royal line still continues to this day as a Chiefdom, and is currently led by The Kamuswaga Apollo Sansa Kabumbuli II a hereditary Saza Chief on behalf of the Kabaka of Buganda. In 27 July 2015, the Kooki Kingdom declared independence from Buganda but it was not recognized by Buganda or Uganda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Endingidi</span>

The endingidi is a type of bowed string instrument native to Uganda. The endingidi has one string, extending from the neck to a cylindrical sound-box or resonator made of wood or cow horn. A piece of hide is stretched over the top of the cylinder and is fixed to the sound-box with wooden pegs, thorny spines or nowadays also with metal nails. The hide used is usually that of the monitor lizard but also of young goats and sheep or even of the python. The hide is soaked in water for a whole day before being stretched over the sound-box. The neck consists of a straight wooden stick inserted through the walls of the sound-box at about 2 to 3 cm from the top. At the top of the neck a hole is bored at 4 to 6 cm from the end into which a tuning pin is inserted vertically. The string is secured to this pin in such a way that the string can be wound round the pin in a similar way as with a violin. This allows the string to be tightened, so tuning the instrument. The string runs across the sound-box via a bridge and is fixed to the other end of the neck. The string is made of fibre or animal sinew, but nowadays it is more often of nylon. The arched bow consists of a thin flexible twig, to which a string is attached, usually of the same material as the string of the instrument itself. To give the bow more grip on the string of the instrument, resin is rubbed into the bow string. The resin is often attached to the side of the sound-box so the player can easily rub resin on the bow as he plays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tooro sub-region</span>

Tooro sub-region is a region in Uganda that is coterminous with Tooro Kingdom in Western Uganda.

Kinyara Sugar Limited (KSL) formally Kinyara Sugar Works Limited (KSWL), is a sugar manufacturer in Uganda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tooro people</span> Bantu ethnic group in Uganda

The Tooro people, also known as Batooro or Toro people are a Bantu ethnic group, native to the Tooro Kingdom, a subnational constitutional monarchy within Uganda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mparo Royal Tombs</span> Royal Burial Site for Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom

Mparo Royal Tombs also Mparo tombs is a historical royal burial site for Omukama Kabalega II and kings and royals of Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom. The tombs cover six acres of land.

Ekizino, also knowns Kizino, is a traditional social dance originating from the Bakiga people in Kigezi region of southwestern Uganda. It is derived from the hilly terrains of the region, where farmers engage in vigorous jumping to warm up and stretch their muscles after a hard day's work.

Ugandan folklore includes traditional folktales and other folklore from the African country of Uganda. The convey meaning and experiences from generation to generation. Traditionally, folktales instilled discipline and good behaviour that shaped societal beliefs and norms within Ugandan society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orunyege-Ntogoro</span> Folk dance of western Uganda

Orunyege-Ntogoro is a traditional dance from the Bunyoro and Tooro kingdoms in western Uganda. It is a courtship dance that involves the use of rattles (ebinyege) and rings (entogoro) to produce rhythmic sounds and movements. The dance is performed by young men and women who seek to attract and impress potential partners for marriage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bakisimba</span>

Bakisimba dance (Baakisiimba) also known as Nankasa or Muwogola is a traditional dance form originating from the Baganda people of Buganda Kingdom in Central Uganda. It is believed to have originated from the movements of a drunken King Ssuuna of Buganda Kingdom. The dance was initially performed in the Buganda Royal Court in ancient times an it holds significant cultural and social importance within the community and is often performed during tribal ceremonies, celebrations, and festive occasions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ekikibi</span> Bakonzo cultural dance

Ekikibi is a traditional love dance of the Bakonzo people, who live in the Rwenzori Mountains of western Uganda and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Bakonzo are a Bantu ethnic group located in the Rwenzori region in districts that include; Kasese, Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu and Ntoroko districts. The dance is performed during weddings and other festive occasions, and it expresses the joy and affection of the bride and groom.

Kadodi dance is a traditional dance performed by the Bamasaba people, also known as the Bagisu or the Gishu, who live in the eastern part of Uganda and the western part of Kenya. Kadodi dance is mainly associated with the Imbalu the male circumcision ceremony that marks the transition from boyhood to manhood among the Bamasaba. Kadodi dance is also performed at other occasions, such as weddings, festivals, and cultural events.

References

  1. 1 2 "Traditional Dances of Uganda - Popular Dances". Guide to Uganda. 2017-08-26. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  2. "Cultural dance: Celebrating unity in diversity". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  3. "MUK's Runyege impresses Iguru". New Vision. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  4. 1 2 "Runyege, Tooro's energetic dance". Monitor. 2021-01-04. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  5. "Orunyege – Entogoro Dance". Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  6. "Culture and Traditions". Kabalega Foundation. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  7. Mulumba, Abu-Baker (2009-03-27). "Nandujja fine-tunes her drums for gala". The Observer - Uganda. Archived from the original on 2022-11-13. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  8. "Entogoro dance". South African Music Archive Project. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  9. "Love in the art of dance". Monitor. 2021-01-05. Retrieved 2024-01-08.
  10. "Enjebajebe and Akajebajebe". music.africamuseum.be. Retrieved 2024-01-08.

Further reading