Buganda Royal Music Revival

From its founding in the late 14th century, the kingdom of Buganda has been celebrated through sound and nurtured a rich musical tradition in its royal court. Coming from across the kingdom, musicians would take turns in the palace to sound drums, xylophones, flutes, lyres, and more to praise and honour the existence of the kingship. In recent years however, the tradition has been more difficult to maintain, especially since 1966 where there was a violent attack on the palace that abruptly abolished the kingdom and during which royal musicians fled or were killed. And while the kingdom was re-established in 1993 as a cultural institution, many of the remaining musicians had since chosen to sideline their skills to deal with the issues of their day to day lives, the practice of the royal tradition waning in popularity, especially with younger listeners and players. But all is not lost. Scattered across the kingdom, a motivated team of older veterans and attentive young players are still keeping the tradition alive. Offering a transversal glimpse into the past and the present, "Buganda Royal Music Revival" collects recordings made in between the late 1940s and 1966 illustrating the older generation's skills, and presents them alongside recent recordings featuring old and young musicians who still carry on this musical tradition, some even performing for the current king, Muwenda Mutebi II.

Tracklisting 

1. Mujaguzo (Celebration)
2. Ffe basajja ba Kabaka (We are the King’s men) 
3. Akasozi Bamunanika keyagaza (The hill of Bamunanika gives pride) 
4. Ssematimba ne Kikwabanga (Ssematimba and Kikwabanga) 
5. Asenga omwami tagayaala (A new tenant of a chief cannot be lazy) 
6. Ssewasswa, kazaala balongo (Ssewasswa, father of twins) 
7. Twaliraanya mayumba, emmeeme tezaaliraana (Our houses are next to each other, but not our souls) 
8. Twabonaabona (We suffered) 
9. Bagabye Mukwenda, owange talina nnaku (They have served Mukwenda, mine doesn’t have sorrow) 
10. Bya nannyinimu (They belong to the owner)
11. Bandaba okulya ettooke, bampita mulamu ddala (They see me eat a banana meal, they think I am healthy) 01:08
12. Okwagala omulungi kwesengereza (Loving the beautiful one is to be careful)
13. Kifwe kze kya (no clear translation was found) 
14. Kubikira amadinda (Announcing death to the xylophone) 
15. Emirembe ngalo buli ogujja gukira gunnaago (Generations are like fingers, each one is different) 
16. Omusango gw’abalere (The case of the flutists) 
17. Osiibye otya nno? (How has your day been?)