Study Guide For Teachers

Ssuuna In

Eda Ne Kakati

Presented by

Young Audiences (866) 500-9265 www.yanj.org www.yaep.org

ABOUT THE PROGRAM BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

Through a fusion of traditional and modern There are hundreds of ethnic groups or tribes in

East African music, dance, and storytelling alone. Each ethnic group has its own accompanied by traditional instruments, music, dance, language and traditions. One SSUUNA will take the audience on a crucial aspect that is very common among all ethnic but delightful cultural extravaganza. He will groups is the use of music, dance and storytelling. share with the audience his experiences in Besides entertainment, these modes of art impart

Uganda, mixed with his own performance of lessons and pass on history from one generation to music and dance. The instruments that the next. They also give a glimpse of the SSUUNA shares with the audience include contemporary life and culture. Endingidi, Engalabi, Kalimba, Amadinda, among others. With opportunities for participants to try (one of the LEARNING GOALS languages of ), students will also try several traditional dances and instruments and costumes. Participants will learn the 1. To enrich America’s multi-cultural origin of the instruments and the meaning of heritage through encouragement of the dances. EDA NE KAKATI is packed with interest and appreciation for African culture. audience participation through which 2. To present an authentic, educational, audience members will experience the and entertaining performance of and will walk away respecting the differences between our traditional and modern East African

music, dance, and storytelling. cultures. 3. To involve the audience by including

them in participation of dancing,

instrument playing, and singing together.

AFTER THE PROGRAM BEFORE THE PROGRAM

(discussions and writing) • Have the students locate the continent of Africa, and the country of Uganda. What did the students learn about • Have the students determine what the climate Africa that was new to them? and terrain of Uganda are like. How do these compare to east coast states such as How are the African dances similar to Pennsylvania and New Jersey? some dances in America? • Some dances or songs may relate to farming. What are some of the crops grown in Write a letter or note to SSUUNA Uganda? In your state? telling him what you liked (or did not • There are many ethnic groups in Uganda and like) about the program. How did this each has its own language and culture. change the way you think about However, because of the colonial past in

Africa and the people? many parts of Africa, Uganda developed an

official language. Name this language. Draw a picture of one of the What other languages are spoken in Uganda? instruments from the program, or • Name a fresh water lake found in Uganda. draw a picture of one of the dance What major river flows from this lake through

movements that Ssuuna did. and Egypt and ends in the

Mediterranean Sea?

VOCABULARY WORDS ARTIST INFORMATION

Greeting: Ssuuna is a dancer, drummer, singer, songwriter, Oli Otya? (O-lee-O-tia) = how are you? and reggae artist from Uganda with a wide range of performance experience. Raised in a small Jendi (jay-n-d) = I am fine Luganda= one of the language in Uganda village by grandparents, SSUUNA found comfort in the Ugandan traditional music that was played at school. As a result, his interest in music was Instruments: born. This interest was then encouraged, Amadinda -- East African Xylophones, nutured and reinforced by his grandparents and based on a pentatonic scale elders through proverbs, stories, songs, dances -- East African Bow harp and instrumentation. Ssuuna’s musical Kalimba-- Thumb Piano background is a priceless cultural glimpse of Engoma-- Drums Uganda. This music helped to alleviate the Endere-- Flute poverty, hunger, hopelessness and suffering that Engalabi-- The long drum SSUUNA and millions of Ugandans experienced Endingidi-- Tube fiddle during the years of civil wars and political turmoil. Endongo-- Bow lyre

Costumes: In 1988 SSUUNA embraced the opportunity to Kaliba-- Goat skin further his education in the United States. He Binyege-- Leg rattles has continued to spread the teachings of his Ekikoyi-- Multi-colored Uganda clothes elders through his performances. SSUUNA often worn by ladies takes his audience on a cultural extravaganza -- A white long gown often worn with a combination of traditional and by men contemporary songs, dances, instruments, Ebisenso-- Grass skirts stories, games, and costumes. Ensiimbi-- Cowry shells Endege-- Ankle bells