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Runyege, Tooro’s energetic dance
In the past, a man showed his prowess through the energy he displayed in the mating dance. PHOTO BY GEOFFREY M. ARAALI
What you need to know:
The show of strength as the men dance around preening females serves a purpose
The impressive pod- rattle dance of courtship, Orunyege or Entogoro is a ceremonial dance from Bunyoro-Kitara and Tooro Kingdoms. It is also a courtship dance that was performed by the youth when it was time for them to choose partners for marriage.
The dance is named after the rattle-pods (ebinyege – binyege – entongoro) that are tied on boys’ legs to produce a percussion – like sound. The sound produced by rattles is well syncopated as the main beat is displaced but everything blending with the song and drum rhythms.
The dance includes vocalists, instrumentalists and dancers, who display skill and talent as they wiggle their waists. Tradition has it that one time, there was a problem in the kingdoms when more than 10 men wanted to marry the same beautiful girl. The elders devised means of getting the best man for the girl.
They organised a very big ceremony where all the male candidates had to dance.
It is believed that the best dancers also show the best marriage life the girl had to choose. John Bosco Rukoobemaango, an elder in Tooro kingdom, explains that the main reason for this dance was to see who the strongest among the men was, as many families in Africa do not want to give their beautiful girls to weak men.
“It was assurance for when there would be a drought or famine, and the husband would struggle to see that he looked for water and food for his family,” Rukoobemaango explains.
“The man who gets tired first loses. The girls did not have a choice, as their parents decided for them whom to marry. That was the life and people were used to it; the elders were very much respected, not like today,” he adds. “If some of you are planning to get wives from Tooro, be prepared to be engaged in this dance to show that you will look after these Tooro beauties.”
Two drums
In this dance two types of drums are used, the short ones Engarabi, and a long drum, also called Engarabi, some other instruments like rattles and shakers are used to make the dance complete. All cultural ceremonies in Tooro have to be wrapped up by Orunyege dance or else it’s not a true cultural function.
