Culture Day at UMU

Saturday was Culture Day at UMU. There was food, exhibits, singing, dancing and a fashion show. At home when there was some celebration of culture it was the usual European mix--France, Ireland, England, Italy, Germany, maybe Poland or Russia. Of course Mexico would be there and maybe another Central or South American country. There would be a token Asian culture, either China or Japan--and AFRICA--like Africa is a country--not a continent.

Here the cultural mix is a bit different. Yes, there were a few token European cultures--those that have students here on a cultural exchange. However, since the countries here are mostly colonial designations and do not represent cultures of their own, Culture Day reflects the various ethnic, or tribal, identities of the students and staff.

During the day there were exhibits of cultural artifacts and food--including the local brew. The local brew is a banana concoction fermented with sorghum. Since it cooked over a wood fire it has a very smokey flavor. One sip was enough for me. Although with a little practice, it might grow on me.

I didn't get to the event in time to try the food, but I think I've had my share of local food. I would have liked to try the Canadian food--pancakes with maple syrup. They didn't last long. Since I make pancakes most weekends, I could do without. Although, the maple syrup would have been nice--we're into homemade syrup these days. Still, the pancakes would be a bigger taste treat for the UMU students.

The big event was the evening when the traditional dances were displayed. Several people were taping them, so I hope I can get a DVD at some point. The range of dancing was spectacular. It's almost impossible to compare the dances since they were so different. The group from Rwanda were Tutsis. They did several dances and all of them were elegant. The group from Burundi were Hutus and they brought in this drum troup who did this amazing dance with these large, very heavy looking drums. There were a group of Masai from Tanzania. I'm told this was the first time a group of Masai students had performed. The energy that went into the dances was astounding. Of course, there were several Ugandan groups--some from the southwest, near Kabale, did a celebratory dance. Of course there was the traditional Buganda dance, the Kiganda (the K is pronounced like a Ch--it sounds like Chiganda). Bry'Chell actually knows that dance, but I doubt that she'll do it for anyone. It involves lots of hip motion. Dancers from the north did a circumcision dance--not the real thing, but it wasn't hard to follow the idea--knife and all. Young men are circumcized during late adolescence. I'm told the goal is not to cry. No kidding.

I was glad Bry'Chell was there since she usually misses the stuff that's during the day. I know she's seen local dancing, but the range of dances was much broader Satuday night. Although the troup from Burundi were professionals, the others were all students. They've been working on the dances for weeks. We could hear them drumming late into the night practicing every night for the past two or three weeks.

It was sort of funny Sunday morning to see the dancers back in their conservative church clothes for mass after seeing the traditional wear the night before.