Examining the effective use of imagery in the songs sung during twin initiation ceremonies among the Baganda

Abstract

In the past years, the twin initiation ceremony was taken so important and singing very central to the ceremony. However, as times have changed, these songs are sung with different intentions since they possess strong meaning within them achieved through the use of strong images which few people of this generation understand and the ceremony is taking rapid steps to its extinction due to people diverting away from performing this ceremony referring to the songs as obscene and the ceremony useless. This research aims at identifying the different images employed in the songs performed during the twin ceremonies and the effectiveness of the imagery in these songs. The data in this report has been attained through interviewing particular members in society, focus group discussions so as to get the most authentic information about the ceremony. Cloze reading of the lyrics was employed to draw out the images and analyze their meaning. I urge a more expounded research to be done on different aspects of this ceremony and to use more efficient equipment to capture the original performed ceremony so as the ceremony stays in existence for the next coming years. As seen in my analysis, the songs performed during the twin initiation ceremony not only entertained, but also communicated a lot.