Wiki Indaba 2021 Adungu Performance

The dance is mainly performed in the West Nile by the Alur people. The dance is among the kebu and the Lugbara performed to melodies of the harp-like Adungu and that’s the reason why the dance is called Adungu dance. The instrument appears in various sizes that can be loosely categorized into solo, rhythm, tenor and bass.
It is also called Otwenge dance because, in the West Nile region, otwenge means elbows. In Otwenge dance, most emphasis is put on the elbows and the u-shaped movement of the raffia skirt.
It is performed because it appears most frequently at the level of a community’s social life, for which it fulfils certain ceremonial rituals or entertainment functions, as a means of communication for the transmission or approval of norms.
Adungu dance is mainly performed at weddings, the arrival of seasons, the birth of a child and festivals. During participation in dance, many improve their physical function, health and well-being most especially the elderly. In other words, people significantly improve their aerobic capacity, lower body muscle endurance, strength and flexibility, balance, agility and gait through dancing.