Performance strategies in Ganda twin songs.

Abstract

In the past years, the twin initiation ceremony was taken so important and singing was very central to the ceremony. However, as times have changed, these songs are sung with different intentions since they possess strong meanings within them achieved through the use of strong images and so many techniques which few people of this generation understand. 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 has investigated the different ways twin songs are performed during the twin ceremonies and the different styles embedded in them. 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. Close reading of the lyrics was employed to analyze different songs, literary techniques and 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.