The Northern Tribes of Uganda

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Album Description

This collection of recordings showcases the field recordings from our December 2012 trip to record the music of the Northern Tribes of Uganda.

We began with a base in Gulu, with journeys to Acet and Paibona. In Achet on our first day of recording, we were blessed with a recording location in the shade and 6 groups who turned up to perform their Acholi dance music. Day 2 found us in Paibona, with our first introduction to Likembe music provided by the Rubanga Kingom Awach Boys. The youthful energy of Ker Kel Kwaro followed, with our third group being led by an old lady and master of the Adungu (the Acholi version of the instrument – a three stringed lyre played using the chin). Waroco Terawo were our fourth group.

A long drive out west brought us to Fort Murchison and Pakwach. We went on further to Widianga village and the Alur Kingdom Troupe. Later that day we were treated to Cieng Dwong back at Fort Murchison – darkness descending as we recorded.

A travel day to Soroti was followed by another Likembe band – the Macedonia band, before the long drive back to Kampala. One night in Kampala was followed by a recording in Naguru, recording the Adungu Cultural Troupe and the Watmon Cultural Group, before heading back to the Entebbe Guesthouse to record more with the Watmon Group and Akello – our influences artist.

Track information

  1. Omee Odokomit - Various

    Recording Location – Achet, Uganda, 1st December 2012
    Recorded by Andy Patterson

  2. Ribbe Ber (Dancers) - Lakwat Dyangi Pe

    Recording Location – Achet, Uganda, 1st December 2012
    Recorded by Andy Patterson

  3. Ribbe Ber (Drummers) - Apora Wuora

    Recording Location – Achet, Uganda, 1st December 2012
    Recorded by Andy Patterson

  4. Pajoto (Youth) - Dingi Dingi

    Recording Location – Achet, Uganda, 1st December 2012
    Recorded by Andy Patterson

  5. Umuni Jubi Ite Yaa - Balo Murali

    Recording Location – Achet, Uganda, 1st December 2012
    Recorded by Andy Patterson

  6. Oriang' Kinene - Dano Lworo

    Recording Location – Achet, Uganda, 1st December 2012
    Recorded by Andy Patterson

  7. Rubanga Kingom (Awach Boys) - Songa Mbele

    Recording Location – Paibona, Awach, Uganda, 2nd December 2012
    Recorded by Andy Patterson

  8. Ker Kal Kwaro - Wanencalo Munu

    Recording Location – Paibona, Awach, Uganda, 2nd December 2012
    Recorded by Andy Patterson

  9. Anym Lac - Cok Man Alwak

    Recording Location – Paibona, Awach, Uganda, 2nd December 2012
    Recorded by Andy Patterson

  10. Waroco Tewaro - Lajwer

    Recording Location – Paibona, Awach, Uganda, 2nd December 2012
    Recorded by Andy Patterson

  11. Alur Kingdom Troupe - Tambara

    Recording Location – Widiang'a Village, Pakwach, Uganda, 3rd December 2012
    Recorded by Andy Patterson

  12. Cieng Dwong - Cwara Rac

    Recording Location – Fort Murchison, Pakwach, Uganda, 3rd December 2012
    Recorded by Andy Patterson

  13. Macedonia Band - Yesu Alisema

    Recording Location – Soroti, 5th December 2012
    Recorded by Andy Patterson

  14. Adungu Cultural Troupe - Pearl of Africa

    Recording Location – Naguru, Kampala, Uganda, 6th December 2012
    Recorded by Andy Patterson

  15. Watmon Cultural Group - Jopa Watmon

    Recording Location – Naguru, Kampala, Uganda, 6th December 2012
    Recorded by Andy Patterson

  16. Watmon Cultural Group - An Lakara Pee

    Recording Location – Entebbe Airport Guesthouse - Uganda, 6th December 2012
    Recorded by Andy Patterson

  17. Akello with Rubanga Kingom Awach Boys - Wan Wilobo

    Recording Location – Paibona, Awach, Uganda, 2nd December 2012
    Recorded by Andy Patterson

  18. Alur Kingdom Troupe - Lwangni

    Recording Location – Fort Murchison, Pakwach, Uganda, 3rd December 2012
    Recorded by Andy Patterson

  19. Akello and Adungu Cultural Troupe - Awinyo

    Recording Location – Naguru, Kampala, Uganda, 6th December 2012
    Recorded by Andy Patterson

  20. Akello and Watmon Cultural Group - Amari

    Recording Location – Entebbe Airport Guesthouse - Uganda, 6th December 2012
    Recorded by Andy Patterson