Batalo does it for culture at ten

 A lot happens in December that some of the biggest artsy events are either hidden between shows or happening away from the city centre. That was the case with the 10th edition of the Batalo Dance Festival at their home in Butaleja.

Under the theme, Cultural Preservation and Traditional Meets Urban, the festival aimed to inspire a generation that is not only aware of their talents but deeply connected to their roots and heritage.

At the heart of the festival was the goal of increasing the prominence and knowledge of traditional dance alongside urban dance. By fostering creative integration of the two styles,Batalo is keen on nurturing globally-aware young people who embrace their African culture and are ready to showcase world-class Afro-fusion dance on international stages.

This vision was beautifully realized through powerful performances and dynamic collaborations. Batalo Dance Festival is always a culmination of community collaboration with the foundation, bringing together troupes from different communities and professional dancers in one space. But that’s not all, they also invite the community as spectators.

The festival dance routines kicked off from the town centre with the Laraka dance in the towns, some locals joined the procession that was leading to the amphitheater which is also the artistic home of Batalo East.

Most of the people in the audience were seeing a professional dance show for the first time and were happy that finally, there is a show that highlights talents of people from the community. One of the residents, Sarah, a student in Butaleja noted that people in Butaleja are talented though they rarely get opportunities.

One of the festival’s primary objectives is to empower youth through training, dance education, and opportunities to connect with international platforms.

This year, they particularly focused on the youth of Butaleja.

They ventured deep into villages to uncover hidden talents—young dancers, instrumentalists and performers who often go unnoticed. Through this festival, they were brought on stage, given lights to shine, and celebrated by an audience that saw their incredible potential.

"Some of the dances you see on stage were unknown to even many of us in the communities but these people (Batalo) went and discovered these boys who are on stage now," said Hamza, one of the residents of Kachonga, Butaleja District.

The sound drive through markets and communities ensured no one was left out. By bringing art closer to the people—at no cost—the festival became a shared experience for all. The sight of a bustling community center filled with people engaged and celebrating together was a powerful reminder of the unifying power of art and culture. This festival is more than an event; it is a platform for cultural preservation and youth empowerment. 

Batalo’s mission is to establish a generational group of individuals who are aware of their talents and identity through cultural heritage. By integrating traditional and urban dance, they are creating a space where young people can connect with their roots, develop their skills, and step confidently onto the international stage.

Batalo has over the years organised the festival from both the National Theatre and Ndere Cultural Centre, however, since Covid-19, the foundation have focused their effort on getting dance to the communities.

Thus, they have explored communities in the Karamoja and Rwenzori regions among others, where many traditional dance movements, some of which were almost going extinct have been reimagined with modern movements.