Teso Cultural Night

We spent the afternoon of Valentine's day at a Teso Cultural event which was arranged for some visitors that had come in from the US.  It included different local Iteso musicians from the area around where Soroti is situated. (Fun fact: The Iteso people are from the land of Teso, and they speak Ateso).  

The cultural night performers included a man named Lazarus, a blind musician who played the thumb piano.  Lazarus also happened to be a former grant recipient from many years ago.  

Lazarus playing the thumb piano 

There was also a pretty zany group that seemed like they may have gotten a bit intoxicated before their performance. 

Wild musicians suspected of being inebriated

All of the music was amazing, fun and energetic. So much so that we had to join in the dancing at times. 

As a side note, I found it interesting that there was a guy there wearing a 'Kony 2012' shirt. Since the Teso region was one of those impacted by the Lords Resistance Army (LRA), it makes sense that he might have had some involvement with the campaign or known someone who did. 

Musician in a Kony 2012 t-shirt

Overall, the Teso Cultural Night was another amazing experience as I prepare to depart from Uganda.