Okeme

Last updated
Abuda and Okeme Dancers on Stage Lango Abuda Dancers 2.jpg
Abuda and Okeme Dancers on Stage
Lango Abuda dancers performing Okeme Lango Abuda Dancers.jpg
Lango Abuda dancers performing Okeme

Okeme is a traditional Lango folk dance. It is often performed at weddings, cultural introduction ceremonies, and graduation ceremonies. [1]

Contents

Performance

Okeme (Thump Piano) Thumb piano, International Slavery Museum (3).JPG
Okeme (Thump Piano)

Okeme is a highly interactive dance where the dancers jump while stamping their feet on the ground. They use great force while jumping, dancing to the tunes of the drum while they sing to the audience.

Performing this dance gives opportunity for all people attending the particular event to join the traditional dance and have fun. [2]

Origin

The origin of Okeme dates to when the Lango people settled in present-day Otuke and Alebtong districts. [2] [3]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adhola people</span> Ethnic group of Uganda

The Adhola people, also known as Jopadhola, are a Nilotic ethnic group of Luo peoples that live in Tororo District of Eastern Uganda and comprise about eight percent of the country's total population. They speak Dhopadhola,, which belongs to the Western Nilotic branch of the Nilotic language family. They are primarily pastoralists. The Jopadhola call their land Padhola which, according to historian Bethwell Ogot, is an elliptic form of "Pa Adhola" meaning the "place of Adhola", the founding father of the Jopadhola people. Officially, land of the Adhola is called Padhola, but the Baganda who misinterpret 'Widoma' – a Dhopadhola word for 'war cry' meaning 'You are in trouble' refer to the Jopadhola as "Badama". The social structure of the Jopadhola can be described as semi centralised because there is no traditional centralized government and its organization is limited to a clan called Nono. There are over 52 clans, each with cultural practices, common ancestry and a distinct lineage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kakwa people</span> Ethnic group native to Africa

The Kakwa people are a Nilotic ethnic group and part of the Karo people found in north-western Uganda, south-western South Sudan, and north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly to the west of the White Nile river.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lango people</span> Ugandan ethnic group

The Lango are a Nilotic ethnic group. They live in north-central Uganda, in a region that covers the area formerly known as the Lango District until 1974, when it was split into the districts of Apac and Lira, and subsequently into several additional districts. The current Lango Region now includes the districts of Amolatar, Alebtong, Apac, Dokolo, Kole, Lira, Oyam, Otuke, and Kwania. The total population of Lango District is currently about 2,884,000.

<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">African dance</span> Body movement-centered performing arts developed by African people

African dance refers to the various dance styles of sub-Saharan Africa. These dances are closely connected with the traditional rhythms and music traditions of the region. Music and dancing is an integral part of many traditional African societies. Songs and dances facilitate teaching and promoting social values, celebrating special events and major life milestones, performing oral history and other recitations, and spiritual experiences. African dance uses the concepts of polyrhythm and total body articulation. African dances are a collective activity performed in large groups, with significant interaction between dancers and onlookers in the majority of styles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kumam people</span> Ugandan ethnic group

The Kumam people are a Nilotic ethnic group of about 349,000 living mainly in the western areas of Teso sub-region and the south-east of Lango sub-region. The Kumam are an ethnic group of people found in Kaberamaido district, district in Eastern Uganda. They share Soroti district with the Iteso and some parts of formerly Lira district with the Langi. In the Lango region, they are now found in Dokolo district which was detached from Lira District. They are found at the shores of Lake Kyoga (Namasale). In Soroti district, they are found in Serere, Asuret, Kamuda, katine, Soroti city, Arapai as well as the outskirts of Soroti district neighboring Kaberamaido.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karamojong people</span> Nilotic ethnic group native to northeastern Uganda

The Karamojong or Karimojong are a Nilotic ethnic group. They are agro-pastoral herders living mainly in the north-east of Uganda. Their language is also known as ngaKarimojong and is part of the Nilotic language family. Their population is estimated at 475,000 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gisu people</span> Tribe of people in eastern Uganda

The Gisu people, or Bamasaba people of Elgon, are a Bantu tribe and Bantu-speaking ethnic group of the Masaba people in eastern Uganda, closely related to the Bukusu people of Kenya. Bamasaba live mainly in the Mbale District of Uganda on the slopes of Mount Elgon. The Bagisu are estimated to be about 1,646,904 people making up 4.9% of the total population according to the 2014 National Census of Uganda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samia tribe</span> Kenyan and Ugandan tribe

Samia speaking people live in Western Kenya and Eastern Uganda. They are composed of several clans and their ancient economic activities include fishing in Lake Victoria and other rivers such as River Sio, crop farming (obulimi), and animal farming (obutuki). The Samia speaking people, as widely known by other tribes, predominantly live in Busia districts and speak a dialect similar to the Luhya tribe in Kenya. However, on the Ugandan side there is a slight variation in the dialect spoken by the Samia of Southern Busia on the fringe of Lake Victoria and those of North Busia district closer to Tororo District. The former speak Olusamia while the latter speak Olugwe. The two dialects are difficult to differentiate by non Samia speaking people but easily discernible by the natives. and in Uganda mainly found inbusia and Namayingo district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acholi people</span> Ethnic group of South Sudan and Northern Uganda

The Acholi people are a Nilotic ethnic group of Luo peoples, found in Magwi County in South Sudan and Northern Uganda, including the districts of Agago, Amuru, Gulu, Kitgum, Nwoya, Lamwo, Pader and Omoro District. The Acholi were estimated to number 2.3 million people and over 45,000 more were living in South Sudan in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bwola</span> Traditional dance of the Acholi people

Bwola, also known as Acholi bwola, is a traditional dance that originates from the Acholi people in Northern Uganda. It is reserved for special occasions and performances in front of royalty, including kings and chiefs. This dance is often showcased during the installation of new chiefs or at various royal functions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Entogoro</span> Ugandan courtship 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. Its name comes from the ebinyege rattles and entogoro rings associated with the dance.

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

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ugandan folklore</span> Legends and folklore of Ugandan culture

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.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naleyo</span> Traditional Ugandan dance

Naleyo or Naleyo Dance is a traditional dance performed by the Karamajong people of North Eastern Uganda. It is a wooing dance performed in two lines with the women on one line and the men on the other line. The dance is characterized by the way the men and women jump high while facing each other, making it an interesting spectacle to watch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edonga</span> Ugandan dance form

Edonga Dance, also known as Edonga, is a traditional cultural dance originating from the Karamajong people, an ethnic group of the Nilotic community residing in the northeastern region of Uganda especially in Kotido and Moroto districts. This dance form is performed by both men and women, accompanied by melodious songs sung in the native Karamojong language. Edonga Dance holds significant cultural importance within the community and heritage of the Karamajong people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So (Tepeth)</span>

So (Tepeth) are a tribe living in the mountain ranges of mountain Moroto in the northeast part of Uganda and North western Kenya in the Turkana region. Traditionally, the So (Tepeth) were hunters and fruit gatherers, the decline in wild animals in the region made them resort to agriculture for sustainable living between 1970 and 1980. Tepeth are believed as original occupants of Karamoja plains unfortunately the current settlers (Karamojong people) pushed the Tepeth up on the mountain.

References

  1. Cooke, Peter (1999). "Fieldwork in Lango, Northern Uganda Feb - Mar 1997". African Music. 7 (4): 66–72. ISSN   0065-4019.
  2. 1 2 "#ExploreOkere | Okere City". OkereCity. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
  3. "'Echoes of Lawino' brings two poems to theatre". The East African. 2023-06-16. Retrieved 2024-01-24.