The troupe has the ability to perform a variety of traditional folk dances and songs from all cultures and ethnic tribes of Uganda with full orchestration. In addition, the troupe has embarked on research into learning other traditional songs and dances from the neighbouring countries and at the moment, we can ably perform a few songs and dances from Rwanda, Kenya, Sudan, Burundi and Tanzania.

In addition to energetic traditional dances, and soothing & well amplified folk songs, we give educative commentaries purposely to enable our audience understand the root of the various cultures of Uganda. At times, we have tried to be comical just to spice the performances. The combination is just amazing.

Our orchestration consists of a number of instruments rallying from:

Percussions

Xylophones (melodic percussion)
The xylophone also called ‘amadinda’ is one of the key instruments used in the Africa orchestra, from which all other instruments pick key to play in harmony. Its size ranges from the smallest 9-12 slabs and the big one from 15-22 slabs. It’s mainly used by the Basoga (Eastern Uganda) and the Baganda (Central Uganda).

Thumb piano (melodic percussion)
The instrument also called akogo or likembe is made out of wooden box and metallic pieces which are tuned to produce very beautiful sound. Its also one of those instruments you can find in almost all the parts of Africa.

Shakers (Ensansi, Acacence, Ebinyege)
These take on different forms which include the gourd shakers traditionally called ensaasi, rattles (binyege) that are mainly tied on men’s legs while dancing, and acacencce which is made out of a stick box and small metallic balls. These percussive instruments help in exciting other instruments while playing in a group.

Drums (membrano phones)
Traditionally called engoma, are the commonest modes of accompaniment used in all dances and songs in Africa. Traditionally, they were used as a mode of communication calling on people for communal work, meetings, alert them about danger and also entertainment. Drums take on the different forms and shapes depending on the region and the part of the continent they came from. Drums are a royal symbol of leadership.

String Instruments

Tube Fiddle, endingidi
This is the one the those very popular instruments found in almost all cultures of Uganda. It is a single stringed instrument whose string can be adjusted by tightening and loosening to produce a fixed pitch from which other tonal sounds can be found by touching in different positions of the string with one finger.

Zither, enanga
 It has got one string that is rolled up and down to make a network of strings on the instrument. It is played as solo and mainly accompanies African poetry, recitations and sometimes used to accompany the Kizino dance among the Bakiga from Kigezi hills of Kabale. (Western Uganda).

Bow harp, adungu
The adungu is believed to have originated from South Africa through Dr Congo then to Uganda. The technique of playing this instrument is by plucking its 9 strings and sounds beautiful when played in harmony. It is a widely played instrument through out Africa.

Lyre
Endongo/ Entongori has 8 Strings and when played, it produces sound that gives a feeling of small rain drops falling on a roof. It’s believed to have originated from Busoga – Eastern Uganda to Buganda – Central Region. It can be played as a solo instrument or as accompaniment to mainly Embaga dance among the baganda.

Wind instruments

Flute, endere
This is one of the most popular instruments in the world. It is found in almost all cultures of the world and was one of the instruments that were played during the migration period in Uganda. It gave people company while they moved from place to place. It is the most versatile instrument mainly made out of wood known as Bamboo.

Panpipes
They are also called Ekwanzi traditionally. They consist of Bamboo sticks cut and pitched to sound a particular musical note. They are mainly played by the young people as part of the fun and also can colour with sweet sounds in the accompaniment of songs and dances in Uganda.

African trumpets
The magical African trumpet traditionally called Agwara is one of the exciting instruments that when played in a set, they produce sound that gives a feeling of swam of bees moving in the air. It originates from the West Nile. There are also the horns traditionally called Amakondere that originate from Bunyoro and Toro. These are mainly used in processions.