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Kampala Music School
Sam Bell
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Before Betty and I left for Uganda in December, we were introduced to a young Ugandan music graduate student studying at FSU. Damascus Kafumbe is working now on his master's degree and plans to stay on at FSU for his PhD. His plans are to study and preserve traditional music and dance of sub Saharan countries. Much of the knowledge of the traditions is being lost and no one has undertaken to preserve it. Damascus was a student at the Kampala Music School. While in Kampala, Betty and I visited the school and met the head teacher, Simon Yiga, who is also soon to be Damascus' father-in-law. We also met Damascus' mother and sister. The parents have made great sacrifices to allow Damascus to do what he has done, since they are of very modest means. Betty and I will continue to help Damascus here in Tallahassee and are pleased to announce that he has just been awarded a highly sought after fellowship which will be of great help. Those traveling in Kampala will miss something if they do not go by to see the Kampala Music School, which is located in the basement of the YWCA. |
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I wrote to Sam after posting the above to be sure he wanted that; his
reply is of further interest:
Yes, Henry, I thought it might be of interest to some traveling to Kampala. People will be amazed at the great talent that is being trained in these very modest basement rooms of the YMCA. It has been really interesting to watch Damascus work in our community. He plays and teaches all of the native African instruments and dances and his mother has made Ugandan native costumes for Damascus and his performing groups. He has then taken these same instruments and costumes into the public schools here, particularly the schools with heavy African American populations, and let the students wear the dress and play the instruments. It has given many of these young kids a new sense of identity. He is also playing the organ at one of the local churches and teaching undergraduates. |