By Marion Ajwang
The Paramount Chief of Lango, Eng. Dr. Michael Moses Odongo Okune, has called for the revival of music and drama as a strategy to keep Lango traditions alive, address existing social challenges, pass on important messages, and entertain the people of Lango.
He said the new music and drama programme would help address challenges such as domestic violence and land conflicts, which he said continue to undermine the development of Lango.
Dr. Odongo added that Lango Cultural Institution has continued to educate the people, but the messages appear not to be reaching the intended audience because of the challenges and conflicts affecting the community.
“I want the Minister of Culture to change this programme to entertaining the Paramount Chief (Galo Wang Won Nyaci). It should be something we should be doing every time, because in our leadership at various levels, we have talked so much about the challenges affecting Lango,” Dr. Odongo said.
Dr. Odongo made the remarks during an engagement with local musicians at his residence in Senior Quarters Cell, Lira City.
The programme was preceded by a performance by Yab Yoo Company Limited, a traditional music and drama group from Abia Sub-county in Alebtong District.
Previously, Lango culture, through clan heads, used music, drama, and other cultural gatherings to communicate messages and educate members of the community. Such teachings were often conducted during fire-setting ceremonies and cultural meetings.
According to Dr. Odongo, entertainment for the Paramount Chief should be conducted on scheduled days as a way of educating and entertaining the people while preserving Lango culture.
“Sometimes, it feels like the teaching we are making is not reaching the ears of our people. Beating women, which we thought had been stopped, is still existing, and women have also turned to beating men, reckless selling of traditional lands, engaging in extramarital activities, gambling and theft,” Dr. Odongo said.
He encouraged traditional musicians to continue composing songs that address issues affecting different groups within the community, including newly elected leaders.
“I want to thank you all for these songs. Now compose for me a song to teach the current leadership, like the elected Local Council One chairpersons. If they are not cautioned, they will connive with others and sell many pieces of land,” he said.
Joe Otim, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development at the Lango Cultural Institution, said the performance on domestic violence had provided him with lessons that he could easily pass on to the community.
“This is very important and it has made me very happy. In my 60s, I had not experienced this in a while, and as the minister, I have truly got the teaching. I will transfer the teaching to our people, especially on domestic violence,” Otim said.