Arts and crafts of the Pearl of Africa
by: Cathy Namagembe and Ray Gutt
Arts and Crafts in Uganda
There is a large and varied selection of quality arts and crafts available in Uganda. Most artists are not well promoted, and are therefore unknown outside of their home country.
colorful Nubian Baskets
Primitive Art / Paintings
There are several art galleries in Kampala, the oldest being Nommo Gallery, located near the Presidential Lodge. It is the home of the Ugandan Artists Association, uniting both up and coming young talent and older, more experienced artists. Nommo Gallery hosts several exhibitions for well-known local artists and talented amateurs.
Another good source of local painting can be found at the Margaret Trowel School of Fine Art, Industrial Art and Design at Makerere University. Here, you can find paintings and sculptures from many of the talented students as well as their instructors.
In the early 1970s, big exhibitions were coordinated by the Uganda Art Club throughout Kampala. Uganda silkscreen printing was innovated by Margaret Trowell, who established the Fine Arts School at Kampala's Makrere University.
Another gallery to visit is Tulifanya, located near Radio Uganda. This gallery focuses more on modern art and features local talent in their monthly exhibitions. Each gallery works with several unique artists, and it would be best to visit a variety of galleries to get a real feel for Ugandan art.
Contemporary Art of Uganda is acknowledged as one of the most important international movements of art in the African continent.
Among Uganda Artists, Godfrey Banadda is the most famous name. The Art of Godfrey Banadda is comprised of awesome characters and stories from cultural and social anthropology. His unique art has a touch of reality. Presently the Head of the Department of Painting, Banadda has been accredited for creating over 150 portraits and paintings.
Hand-Carved Masks
Carved face masks were expressions of supernatural powers and have been an important part of many African ceremonies and rituals. These festivals include fertility rituals, healing rituals and agricultural festivals to guarantee a bountiful harvest. In traditional mask dances, the dancer was the medium between good and evil spirits. Most villagers did their own wood carving when it wasn’t harvest season. For the best artists, this would become their full time career. Cotton, ebony, and mahogany are the most popular choices of wood. Though masks no longer have a significant role in religious ceremonies, they are still skillfully carved for the tourist industry. Hand-carved wooden pipes are also popular tourist items.
Pottery / Gourds
They have many uses of gourds. This includes making a traditional container for beer. When split in half, the two parts make good beer drinking bowls. Some long-necked gourds are used for drinking water while others are used for keeping salt or butter. Many artists decorate them with tiny beads.
Pots and earthenware saucers are made from made of kaolin, a soft white clay, dark soil or rust colored clay. Kaolin is often used in making porcelain. Skilled potters mold the clay with their hands as they carve out their products, without using a kick wheel. Many tribes also use clay to make smoking pipes, pots for drinking water and for cooking utensils.
Baskets
There are several types of baskets made in Uganda. Grass and palm leaves are common materials used in mats and baskets. Hand bags and decorative wall hangings are also hand-woven. Many of these pieces have intricate designs and patterns, showing their fine craftsmanship. Specially dyed fibers are used to brighten up the artwork.
Some areas of Western Uganda are known for producing fine, cylinder shaped baskets used for keeping bread hot. In Buganda, you will find larger baskets. These are used for coffee beans and fruits. Bottled beer is often served in these types of woven baskets.
One of the more unique baskets is the hand-woven beer basket. It is made from a certain type of grass from the mountains and is carefully harvested and dyed. These baskets are woven very tightly and have beautiful patterns. These beer pots were commonly used by men to carry their home brewed beer while out hunting. They are woven so tightly, that they do not leak. Dipping the basket in water and hanging it from a tree will keep the contents chilled, even on the hottest day. Unfortunately, these unique beer baskets are becoming scarce as there are only a few craftsmen able to weave them.
Musical Instruments / Drums
Drums are common instruments in all of Africa and have come to be a symbol of African culture. They are used as a form of entertainment and part of everyday music as well as being an important part in several ritual ceremonies, such as funerals, exorcisms and religious ceremonies. There are several variations in drums as you go from one area to another. The most typical drums are made from wood and covered in animal skin. Medium and larger drums are generally covered in the heavy skins of cows or goats. These can be played by hand or using drum sticks. Some of the smaller, more delicate drums might use the light and thin skin from a crocodile, alligator, or monitor lizards. These are designed to be played by hand only. Some drums are covered with zebra skin, but these are primarily sold to tourists.
The wood for the drums are fashioned from a hollowed out tree trunk. Wood is selected from materials that do not rot easily.
Jewelry
Traditional jewelry items in Ugandan culture include amulets, beaded necklaces, arm and leg ornaments, bracelets, rings, earrings and headdresses.
Jewelry has been fashioned from animal teeth and bones, feathers, stone, wood, clay, and precious metals. One type of headdress is made from human hair held together with grease and clay. It is patterned painted red, blue and yellow, and has metal eyelets to hold ostrich feathers.
Cathy Namagembe and Ray Gutt are the Uganda Editors for Wandering Educators.
Feature photo: Mat from Palm Leaves.
All photos courtesy and copyright Cathy Nagagembe