Milege celebrates African culture

For three fantastic days, Uganda’s artistry mingled with international fanatics of world music, in festivities that celebrate Africa’s diverse cultures in music, dance, fashion, food, and nature.

Milege World Music festival, that ran from November 20 to November 22, has created an annual extravaganza at Botanical Beach Gardens in Entebbe, where young and achieved artistes in world music (which fuses African roots sound with contemporary forms) gather to entertain and celebrate music on the continent.

Francis Massa Manano, the director of Milege, said Milege is a very traditional symbol of the arts in cultures across Africa and parts of Europe and Asia. “It is called endege in Buganda, Runyege in Tooro; so it is a symbol of unity, which we use to promote unity and develop a positive perception of local art,” he said.

The three-day festival, thus, celebrated African culture, kick starting with an acoustic night, showcasing covers and original music.

DAY ONE

Opening with a magnetic performance from Giovanni Kiyingi of the revered Makondere album, the festival was a promise of beautiful sounds of Africa.

Hip-hop’s Ruyonga, Undercover Brothers, and Kenneth Mugabi were forces to reckon with, while Roger Mugisha’s witty MCee skills left the audiences grounded.
Uganda’s beautiful climate found means to show itself, pouring down with showers and winds that blew through the dancing trees.

DAY TWO
Century Djs played through the night, while revelers danced. Mugabi, the Afro-story teller, performed his songs Naki and Kibuno Omu with emotional sentiment, which he fused with dramatic extracts.

Fashion showcases by Lydia Nakamya, Mariel Nagujja and Rachael showed fresh designers, experimenting with Chunky jewelry made out of calabash, interplaying with loads of colour and patterned African fabric.

Watmon Band tantalised with Luo and Ateso music and dance, poking the audience into dancing to Larakaraka and later Buganda’s Mawogola and Nansaka.

DAY THREE

Janzi Band brought the house down with an instrumental fusion of great sound and amazing vocals between lead vocalists Jacinta and Pages.

The band got everyone to their feet, whether they did a cover for Afrigo, or covered international music by Sam Smith or twinned and molded with songs off their album such as Kiwa Omulangira; this band left you craving for more.
Ingyenzi Cultural Troupe performed dances from Rwanda and Burundi, with animated resonance of jumping.

Daisy Atukunda from Wizarst Media, who was lured to the dance floor, said the cultural dance experience was unforgettable. The dance provided a change from house and hip-hop dance styles that were also showcased.

German percussionist Babette Haag, who plays the Marimba (a German instrument), plunged away at the hearts of many with mellow sounds, in the presence of German Ambassador to Uganda, Herzlich Willkommen and his wife.

Tusker Project Fame’s two-time winner, Davis Ntare serenaded with love ballads off his latest album with such soul, and a husky twist in his voice quality. There was storytelling, poetry, which accompanied sporty cycling, games like volley and dodge ball.

All activities were under the tropical forest, allowing nature walkers to see bird species, monkeys, and enjoy the waters of Botanical beach.

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