Art and culture: Uganda

This semester I decided to sit in on a class called Community Art in Uganda. I wanted to sit in on this class since I m pretty artistically challenged. My art consist of writing my name down in cursive and tracing around my name over and over in different colors. I have been doing this since third grade. If my mother kept any of my art projects I would have proof. Anyway, I wanted to learn more about art in Uganda and to see how art is impacting Uganda. What I did not realize was how much my eyes were going to be open to the art and culture around Uganda.

One of my favorite events to attend in Uganda are the poetry slams that take place in Kampala the first Tuesday of the month. March was “The Battle of the Sexes” since March 8^th was Women’s Day (which is a public holiday in Uganda). The women spoke about how women rule this world. Most men talked about how women came from men. But then you had those guys who made the women swoon by talking about how much they appreciate the women in their lives. I loved seeing people around my age doing poetry. I had those brief moments where I sat there watching the performs and thinking, “Huh… this is in Uganda too.”

Two weeks ago was International student week on campus. The main events happened on Friday. The old football pitch on campus displayed the various countries represented at the university. Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Nigeria, and USA were the representing countries.  Each country wore their traditional wear (or at least what they would wear in their home country). The American students wore t-shirts and jeans. Each country also displayed the currency they used, pictures of what their land looks like, and different objects that were native to their country. The best part of the whole cultural gala was the free food that was offered. Hands down the best food there was food from South Sudan. Their food taste like a milder form of Ethiopian food. It was so tasty. Now Nigerian food was perhaps the spiciest food I have ever tasted. I cried a little bit. The American students made macaroni and cheese. I thought it was pretty good, yet the African’s did not. The trashcan held a lot of uneaten mac and cheese. I think the taste palate of Africans having various African food to American food was just too drastic for them. Yet I also think that Americans might like cheese way too much.

 Kenya and Tanzania

 South Sudan and Rwanda

Congo (DRC) and Nigeria

USA and Burundi 

 A mixture of various countries coming together with the American students

Lydia (office cleaner) and I trying Nigerian food

The best experience for me with international student week was giving Africans an American football to play with. Most of them started throwing it like a rugby ball. I did my best to display how to throw a spiral, but I kind of failed. They eventually got the hang of it… somewhat.

He knew how to work a football

This lady is from Rwanda

That night was the cultural gala showcase where each country performs their national anthem, show a video of their country, and do a country dance (unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the showcase). The American students did the Cha-Cha slide for their cultural dance, which the Africans loved. Anything that involves shaking your body gets a big rise from Africans. The African countries had great showcases. All I have to say about the night is that African have great pride in their presidents. When Kenya got up to present they said, “We have a president who is in America.” Africans really love them some Obama.

I took this picture of this poster in Eastern Uganda. It was displayed in a photo copy store. 

I would love to have this poster. It cracks me up. 

Okay moving on. The rest of my week was filled with art. I finally stopped by this pottery place I always pass by on the way to Kampala. I bought some mugs. They are not perfect, but they have such character. I also bought some paintings from a friend I know on campus. What I love most about my purchases is that I know the artist who made the art. I like knowing where my stuff came from and whom it is benefiting.

New mugs!

Painting courtesy of Steven Boyyi

On Saturday I went on a community art trip. We went about an hour away from the equator to an area near Masaka. There we met a gentleman who is using art as a way of doing community development. His organization is called Weaver Bird.  They take in various artists from around the world to teach them how to use art for community development. Since my Master’s is in International Community Development, I found his approach to development very compelling. It was so neat to see the village, Ndegeya, decorated in various colors, seeing a stage set up at the main crossroad for various community performances, and viewing women using their crafts as a way of making an income. That is what I love about community development. You are invested in a community and you use your particular gifts, talents, and skills to impact that area. His approach to community development has made the community come together to address various issues in the community. Issues ranging from family planning to healthcare are being addressed because he started off with using art to bring the community development.

A sculpture made out of Jerry cans (Jerry cans are what are used to carry water in Uganda and most of Africa) 

A wall where anyone can contribute their art 

My co-worker Rachel adding her art

One of the students in the art class 

My art consisted of writing "C'est Moi." French for "this is me."

Fun times in the massive jerry can

 The town of Ndegeya

I find it strange that I am writing about art and culture in Uganda. I’m writing about it like I never knew it was here. I think I underestimated Uganda. About a month ago I went to a dance performance called Are U-Ganda. It was about trying to define what an Ugandan identity looks like in Uganda since Uganda was colonized by the British, many tribes makes up Uganda, many people did not grow up where their tribe was from, many are educated, and many are influenced by Western culture. When I (and probably everyone else) think about Uganda, I don’t really think of slam poetry, pottery, celebrating cultures, art as community development, or trying to figure out what it means to be a Ugandan. Only in Uganda have I fully learned how art can be an expression of some many things. I’m not in a “third world country” or an “uncivilized-need-my-help-to-develop country.” I’m in a country where art is a way of expression regardless if it is for understanding culture, gaining income, or pleasure.