Adungu Cultural Troupe - Afrika Na Jembe

The Adungu Cultural Troupe are masters of the Adungu, a string instrument similar to the Nyatiti.

Adungus come in a variety of different sizes and are often played as an ensemble. We had recorded musicians playing the odd Adungu here and there in northern Uganda, but never the full ensemble, so this was an exciting opportunity to see the instrument in its full force.

This ensemble is comprised of the big bass Adungu and 3-4 others in progressively smaller sizes. The three general sizes are called ‘bass’, ‘solo’ and ‘bass 2’.

The Adungo bow-harp is an outstanding example of good Ugandan craftsmanship. Like the Nyatiti, the Adungu came from the traditional bow-harp or ‘lyre’ from the Egyptians. It is based on the major or pentatonic scale.

Great care is taken to achieve the ideal of sound timbre desired, such as the movable rings, made of banana fibre sewn into lizard skin, attached round the neck of the instrument, one to each string, which are pushed into position just close enough below the string to let it vibrate against the ring. The two tallest strings of an Adungu are called ‘minne’ meaning ‘mothers’, the two shortest are known as ‘nyige’ meaning ‘the little ones’, while the centre string (as the bass Adungu only has five strings) is referred to as ‘atong’ described as ‘one which receives the voice above’. The harp is constantly evolving, and while in the past tortoise shell was used to make it, it is now largely made out of wood.

The Adungu has many historical ties to the royal family of the Baganda tribe in Uganda. Traditionally, the harpist was the only musician ever allowed to play in the room of the royal women. There would often have been a harpist situated in the Kabaka’s palace (the chief of the Baganda tribe). In some cases, a harpist was blinded by royal command either to make him immune against the charms of his audience or to keep him dependent upon his master. While it is now often played as an ensemble of instruments, it once served a solo function. An Adungu player would sit silently during public functions where an ensemble was playing, and then once the orchestra was finished, would strike up and sing his solo, accompanying himself on the harp.

Whilst the harp was previously a royalist instrument, like many other styles of music it generally had a ceremonial function, and like the Nyatiti the Adungu is played at weddings and funerals.

Here are the songs played by the Adungu Cultural Group:

Adii Mudong: a traditional piece of music sung in the Alur language. The music is typical to the type of songs you’d hear at a wedding, and the lyrics talk about the happiness that still exists in the villages of Northern Uganda, despite the destruction caused by the war. The name translates to ‘how much is left’ referring to how the war hasn’t taken everything in the North, they still have happiness.
Yom Chunta: of a similar style. The title means ‘my heart is happy’.
Pearl of Africa: A song in part English and part Swahili. This was actually written by Jimmy Adokwun around five years ago, but it uses traditional styles to convey their message of national pride.
Africa Na Jembe: About the Ugandan’s emphasis on being deserving. The song says that first you must dig in the field before you can eat. The lyric in swahili in the chorus: “tula kula kua jembe” means ” through our work in the field we can eat”. It is based on the traditional ideology that hard work should always come first.
Awinyo, feat. Akello: collaboration with influences artist.
Global Influences Project: Atienu Oluoch X Adungu Cultural Troupe (more information on the GIP here)

Recorded: 6th December 2012
Location: Naguru, Kampala, Uganda