Independence Day... Ugandan Style

Celebrations happened all over Uganda yesterday. Chrissy and I have been talking about making a trip into Bundibugyo and the prospect of National festivities made us even more motivated. The day was pretty cool and the sky threatened rain but we set out anyway making sure we packed a rain coat. We walked down to the boda stage to get a ride and were soon bouncing along the rutted Bundibugyo road. I had been raving to Chrissy about how beautiful the ride was along the base of the mountains into town and was a bit worried that the the clouds would be masking their majesty, but we were not disappointed. The tops were covered but the clouds were suspended like stage curtain folding into the ravines and filling the crevices. At times it was like we were in the clouds.

We arrived in town I mailed a few letters and we walked over to where the crowd was gathering. It was kid of like going to the county fair. They were gathered in an open field. Tents were set up to provide shade. Venders with piles of sugar cane supplied children with the African equivalent of cotton candy. We caught the end of the morning program with the last two singing school groups. The the speeches started and we decided to walk around. Chrissy and I ventured into a few kitangy (African fabic) shops, checked out the produce situation at the market, priced a world cup shopping bag... which in my opinion were way too expensive... guess there are no after World Cup sale prices. Just as we were passing the “Love Beauty Saloon” (local hair salon). A friend came behind me and grabbed my shoulders to give me a hug. I about jumped out of my skin because we had also just past a truck with some rather obnoxious hissing young men. Janet was a welcome surprise. The three of us wandered a bit and then we went to eat lunch at a the Vanilla Hotel. Janet chose a table right near the TV where we could watch the parade happening in Kampala. We enjoyed our matoke, rice, and chicken sauce. Chrissy and I were delighted to learn that while we thought that we had missed most of the program that morning, after the speeches there would be a traditional dance performance. Usually Ugandan’s are in no rush. Evidenced by the fact that our waiter sat in a chair next to our table to watch TV and promptly fell asleep. But Janet did not want to miss any of the dance and woke the poor guy up rushing him to bring our bill. He didn’t seem too bothered. (I love how good natured Ugandan’s are.)

Janet gettin' her hair did

We were soon on our way through back paths I have never seen in Bundi town. It is always fun to explore with a local. When we reached the “fair ground” as I like to call it, the speeches still droned on. Janet took us to the shop of her Auntie and Uncle and we sat on benches under the overhang as it started to rain. A little pants-less boy came up to me and sat right down in my lap. Janet, Chrissy and I chatted and laughed. Some music was playing and my new little friend got up and started to bob and do wind mill arms. Cute as can be, he had a little audience in no time. In a bit we heard drums coming from the fair ground and we headed that way.

A dance circle had already formed and men and women in grass skirts and traditional fabric were dancing. Bells strapped to ankles, jingled in perfect rhythm with every stamp of their feet. They played little bamboo pipes adorned with feathers and bits of fur. The leader had a hat covered with feathers and a loosely attached fountain like arrangement was attached to the top. The feather duster of sorts swayed this way and that with each wag of his head. (Similar to the neck movement of teenagers with a lot of attitude... only he smiled a lot more.)

After the dance a sort of parade formed. Since it was getting late, Chrissy and I decided to do our grocery shopping and head back to Nyahuka. We hugged Janet goodbye and hopped on a motorcycle, our grocery bag around the neck of the driver, zipped up our jackets and headed down the road. I have often wondered at the parka wearing boda drivers with their furry hoods here on the equator, but today I understood. The cool damp wind blowing in my face was frigid. I pulled the drawstrings on my hood. The view was even more beautiful than our ride in as the clouds had moved out over the valley and hung over the flat land that stretches out to the Congo. This driver wasn’t as good at avoiding pot holes as some and I was happy to get off when we reached home and went inside to put on some long sleeves. This was for sure an enjoyable day and out of the ordinary in many ways. I am thankful for Ugandan independence and grateful to share this day with such wonderful people.