Bigwala

What is Bigwala?

Bigwala is a ceremonial performance combining music and dance practiced by the Basoga people of Uganda. The ensemble features five distinct gourd trumpets that produce a melody through hocket, a technique where notes are shared between players. These are supported by a variety of drums and sometimes melodic instruments like xylophones or flutes. Singers provide call-and-response vocals, often including ululations. Dancers move in a circle around the seated musicians, swaying their waists and performing light jumps to the rhythm. The performance serves as a key marker of Busoga identity and unity.

Where does Bigwala come from?

The dance originates from the Basoga community in southeastern Uganda. Scholars debate its roots, with some suggesting Egyptian origins via migration, while others believe it was brought by Kintu, the first Muganda, from Mount Elgon. Evidence supports this second theory due to similarities with Buganda traditions and shared clan names. Historically, Bigwala was reserved for royal events like coronations and funerals of kings and aristocrats. Over time, it became more accessible, though it remains deeply tied to the kingdom's history and the figure of the king.

How is Bigwala danced?

The dance is primarily processional and circular. Dancers gather around the central group of drummers and instrumentalists, moving in a ring that expands as more people join. The style allows for individual expression, but common motifs include emphasizing waist movements and alternating them with light jumps. The speed of the dance matches the beat of the drums. Women often respond vigorously to the music, raising their hands and adding excitement through ululations. Men may incorporate comic gestures to entertain the audience. The movement is fluid and celebratory.

The music of Bigwala

The core sound comes from five side-blown gourd trumpets of different sizes: Enhana (lead), Empala, Endhasasi, Endesi, and Endumirizi. They are tuned to a pentatonic scale and play single tones in hocket. Five drums provide the rhythmic foundation, led by the deep Engoma enene. Additional instruments like xylophones, panpipes, and tube fiddles may add texture. Vocals are characterized by short, repetitive, and improvised lyrics that narrate kingdom history. The singing style includes call-and-response patterns, ululations, and yodeling.

Costume and what is carried

The sources do not describe specific costumes or makeup for Bigwala dancers. The focus is on the instruments themselves, which are crafted from gourds called enhendo. These gourds are dried over firewood smoke, cut into pieces, and glued together using ant waste or tree sap to form the trumpets. The instruments are essential props, with each player holding and playing their specific gourd trumpet during the performance.

When and where Bigwala is danced

Originally, Bigwala was performed exclusively for royal occasions, including the coronations and burials of kings and nobles. It symbolized the strength of the Busoga kingship. In modern times, it is used for social gatherings and community events, such as the burial of King Henry Wako Muloki in 1995. The dance fosters community bonding through preparation and performance. Players are also obligated to perform at the funeral of a fellow musician to offer comfort to the family. Despite its cultural importance, the tradition is endangered due to a lack of young practitioners and financial obstacles.

Styles of Bigwala

Bigwala is distinct from other Basoga dances like Tamenhaibuga, Nalufuka, Irongo, and Mayebe. While the core structure involves the five trumpets and circular dance, variations exist in the inclusion of additional melodic instruments like xylophones or flutes. Modern efforts to preserve the dance include teaching children to make mock instruments from pawpaw leaf stalks. Groups like the Nambote Bigwala group continue to perform, but the number of master bearers who can craft and play the authentic instruments is dwindling.

What Bigwala means

Bigwala is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. It plays a crucial role in maintaining Busoga unity and identity, especially after the abolition of the kingdom's sovereignty by the Ugandan government. The dance reinforces the symbolic power of the king and connects the community to its historical past. Scholars argue that the extinction of Bigwala could weaken the kingship and community cohesion. Preservation efforts are led by individuals like Godfrey Alibatya, who highlight the genre's obscurity compared to other cherished heritage items.

Questions people ask about Bigwala

Good reading and sources

• Bigwala on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data
• Videos of Bigwala on YouTubeSearch results, not chosen by Ghungroo