Lango Paramount Chief Revives Ancient Tradition of Teaching Through Music and Drama

What the report says

Dokolo Post reports that the Won Nyaci, the Paramount Chief of Lango, Eng. Dr. Michael Moses Odongo Okune, has launched a new cultural education initiative that uses locally composed songs and drama to pass messages to the public. The program, called “Galo wang Won Nyaci,” is meant to bring cultural groups before the chief and clan leaders on scheduled days to present performances with social and educational themes.

The launch took place on Friday evening at the Palace of the Won Nyaci in Senior Quarters Cell, Lira City. A traditional troupe, Yab Yoo Company Limited from Abia sub-county in Alebtong District, opened the program with performances addressing issues such as domestic violence, inheritance practices involving widows and widowers, personal greed and the value of education. Another performer, Bony Ayo, also used song to speak about development projects in Lango, including praise for the Akii-Bua Memorial Stadium and reference to the Anai International Airport project.

According to the report, the initiative is intended to revive an older tradition of using music, drama and cultural performance as a means of community instruction, especially for younger people. Lango Cultural Institution officials said it aims to preserve culture while teaching social values. The chief urged artists to create music about problems affecting the region, including child education, gambling, adultery, HIV/AIDS prevention, corruption and defilement, and to help inform local leaders about good governance and land issues.