Wiki Indaba 2021 Bakisimba Dance

This is a traditional folk dance that originates from Buganda kingdom. Buganda is comprised of the Baganda people in the Central region of Uganda and it is still the strongest kingdom to present. The Bakisimba dance is the oldest and the most common dance in Buganda intended for entertainment. The dance’s origin is traced from several centuries back when the king of Buganda took a local beer made from bananas. When he got drunk, he started praising the people who planted the banana from which this local beer was made, saying that those who planted the banana made it sweet. Which in Luganda is said; “abakisimba, bebaakiwomya” due to the much happiness he got. As he danced, he was joined by the people around him and since then, that made it a celebratory dance among the Baganda. The choreography of this dance is divided into three parts; Nankasa, Bakisimba and Muwogola, which are differentiated by speed and footwork. The musical instrument of this dance includes drums, (Embuutu/Empuunyi) long drum (engalabi), small drums (Namujooloba), and the shakers (ensaansi). Bakisimba dance emphasizes waist movement and complex footwork. Like in any other society, music in Buganda plays a very important role in worshipping gods, entertainment and communicating important messages to the people like respecting elders, loving one another, cooperating, working hard, being patient, being disciplined and being honest.