Continuing with our research on the Ugandan practical norm and tribal dances we will start with

  MAGGUNJU DANCE

maggunju is a dance performed by the people known as Baganda who live in the central region of Uganda. This region covers the districts of Mpigi, Wakiso, Masaka, Mubende, Kiboga, Luwero, and Mukono. Amaggunju has a royal significance in the history of the Kingdom of Buganda. Amaggunju was a result of the people’s search for ideas to entertain an infant king, Kabaka Mulondo, who ascended the throne of Buganda while still in his mother’s womb. This followed the passing of his father, who had left no son to take after him. It is important to note that while Buganda is a patrilineal culture, the Kabaka is an exceptional case which takes up the mother’s clan.

Mulondo’s mother was Namulonda, after whom the throne of Buganda was named as her reward for carrying the king in her womb until he was born. And when the baby king was born, he found one of the taboos for Buganda’s kings was that they were never expected to cry no matter the circumstance. This is the reason behind the Buganda custom that kings are never allowed to attend burial ceremonies, even for their closest relative or parents.

maggunju was a dance that resulted in the quest of ensuring that the infant king was constantly entertained. One clan, the Obutiko (“mushroom”) clan was assigned the duty of dancing in order for the king never to cry until he grew up to fully understand his duties as the Kabaka of Buganda. The dance amaggunju is said to have derived its name from the infant king’s maternal uncle , Gunju, who was assigned the responsibility to entertain this infant king.

Ssenyonga Oscar Uganda