Orunyege-Ntogoro is a

traditional dance A folk dance is a dance that reflects the life of the people of a certain country or region. Not all ethnic dances are folk dances. For example, ritual dances or dances of ritual origin are not considered to be folk dances. Ritual dances are us ...

from the

Bunyoro 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 ...

and Tooro kingdoms in western

Uganda Uganda, officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the ...

. 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.

History

Orunyege-Ntogoro is a combination of two dances: Orunyege and Ntogoro. Orunyege comes from

Hoima Hoima is the second capital 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. Location Hoima is located approximately northwest of K ...

and

Fort Portal Fort Portal formerly Kabarole () is a city located in the Western Region, Uganda, Western Region of Uganda. It is the seat of both Kabarole District and historically of the Tooro Kingdom. Etymology Fort Portal was named after British Diplomac ...

districts, while Ntogoro comes from

Masindi Masindi is a town in the Western Region, Uganda, Western Region of Uganda. It is on the road between Kampala and the Murchison Falls National Park. It is the site of the headquarters of the Masindi District. Location Masindi is approximately ...

district. The two dances have similar origins and characteristics but differ in some respects. Orunyege is more energetic and acrobatic, while Ntogoro is more graceful and elegant. The dance dates back to the pre-colonial era when the Bunyoro and Tooro kingdoms were powerful and influential in the region. The dance was a way of celebrating the culture and identity of the people, as well as expressing their love and affection. The dance was also a means of socialization and entertainment, as the young people would gather in the evenings and dance under the moonlight.

Performance

Orunyege-Ntogoro is performed by two groups of dancers: the male dancers (abakwongezi) and the female dancers (abakwetegerezi). The male dancers wear shorts and shirts, and tie rattles (ebinyege) made of dried

gourds Gourds include the fruits of some flowering plant species in the family Cucurbitaceae, particularly ''Cucurbita'' and ''Lagenaria''. The term refers to a number of species and subspecies, many with hard shells, and some without. Many gourds have ...

or calabashes on their legs. The female dancers wear long skirts and blouses, and tie rings (entogoro) made of beads or

cowrie shells Cowrie or cowry () is the common name for a group of small to large sea snails in the family Cypraeidae. Cowrie shells have held cultural, economic, and ornamental significance in various cultures. The cowrie was the shell most widely used wo ...

on their waists. The rings are used to accentuate the movements of the hips, while the rattles are used to create sounds that match the drumbeats. The dance is accompanied by drums, flutes, and xylophones. The drummers play different patterns and rhythms, depending on the mood and tempo of the dance. The flutists and xylophonists play melodies and harmonies that add to the musicality and beauty of the dance. The dance is led by a master of ceremonies (omukama), who sings and chants praises and jokes to the dancers and the audience. The dance consists of several steps and formations, such as circles, lines, and pairs. The dancers move in sync with each other, following the cues of the master of ceremonies and the drummers. The dancers also improvise and showcase their individual skills and styles, such as spinning, jumping, and shaking. The dance is a display of agility, coordination, and creativity.

Significance

Orunyege-Ntogoro is a dance that reflects the culture and values of the Bunyoro and Tooro people. It is a dance that celebrates life, love, and joy. It is a dance that fosters social cohesion and harmony among the people. It is a dance that preserves and promotes the heritage and identity of the people. Orunyege-Ntogoro is also a dance that has a practical and educational purpose. It is a dance that teaches the young people about the norms and expectations of their society, especially regarding courtship and marriage. It is a dance that allows the young people to interact and communicate with each other, and to express their feelings and emotions. It is a dance that helps the young people to find and choose their suitable partners for marriage.

References

{{reflist Culture of Uganda Dance in Uganda African dances Tooro Kingdom