Ndere Cultural Center

By Gabriella Lasater

After a full weekend of SLAM, our team traveled to the Ndere Cultural Center. As our team sat down, the show slowly began. We were shown dances from tribes all over East Africa. There was the Acholi, who performed the Larakaraka dance. This dance was one that was a representation of courtship and connection between a man and a woman. We then moved onto the Banyankore tribe, who performed the Kitaguluro dance. Their moves were to show and act out the shapes and figures of what they are mostly known for, which is their cattle.

We then have the Baganda tribe who did the Kiganda dance. Their moves were mostly females would dance while men would play the instruments. The final tribe was the Basoga, who performed the Kisoga dance. This was a dance where men would carry drums on the top of their heads, showing insane balance and coordination.

As someone who has been a dancer for the past 15 years of my life, it was so impactful to see every tribe and the dances that their culture carries with them. Each tribe was so different from each other. Each one had their own characteristics due to their own culture and way of life. But, I believe that is what made watching each dance even more impactful.

I felt as if a little window was being opened into each of the tribe’s way of life. I am so thankful that we were taken to this cultural center and shown the unique beauty that is so present in each and every one of the tribes.

In summary, dance is something that is beautiful, unique, and such an amazing way to express culture.