Omusango gw'Abalere: “The Flute Player’s Affair”

Abstract

Abstract Omusango gw'Abalere, a three-movement piece is a composition based on Ugandan folk music from two ethnic cultures-the Baganda (Central) and Acholi (Northern). The piece explores how music was used to address controversy in the traditional Ugandan society. Using tuneful melodies with usually syncopated and at times confusing rhythms, Ugandans were able to communicate messages that were rather controversial for ordinary speech. The first movement is based on a Kiganda tune Omusango gw'Abalere which is a complaint by a royal court musician who feels confused and troubled by a situation in the royal courts and demands to be returned to his birthplace. The second movement Kagutema (also from Buganda), is an acknowledgement to an innovative man who is praised for manufacturing a traditional alcoholic brew from bananas. The people praise him and ask he be given "one more for the road" for his great discovery. This movement is dedicated to Prof. George W. Kakoma, the composer of the Ugandan National anthem. The third movement, Labal ping, focuses on a wife who turned into a spoiler causing difficulties in the extended family relations. There is expression of regrets by her husband, which brings in the bigger family to offer counseling. This story comes from Northern Uganda among the Acholi. One prominent element of Ugandan folk music is rhythm. Accented notes on unusually stressed beats are common. Polyrhythms and syncopated rhythms that, at times, obscure the sense of the downbeat are a major characteristic of Ugandan folk music. One example is the fluid movement of individual players back and forth between 6/8 and 3/4 meters. The "african hemiola" is often times the resultant effect and is frequently evident in my work. This creates a challenge for rhythmic notation since on many occasions more than one meter is audible at a time. This piece is influenced by the several social, economic and political challenges in Uganda today. There is little sense of mutual responsibility for mistakes committed, which has often led to frustration in society.