The launch of the 3rd interuniversity netball games at Makerere University took us back to our traditional roots.

MAKERERE- Different cultures from all over East Africa were showcased by a traditional dance group called the Ndere group. These dances depicted war, joy, marriage, and harvest among others across the East African region.

The culture and traditions were showcased in a unique manner of gigantic moves, the dances sent out messages that included the war in Burundi, marriage in Ankole, Jubilation in Acholi region among others. “The dances are adorned with beautiful names like Lara karaka for Acholi, Batimbo for Burundi, Kitaguriro for Kigezi region Said one of the Acholi dancers, Onyango John.

The Ndere cultural dancing troupe that is headed by Mr. Steven Rwangyezi is made up of people from all walks of traditional cultures across East Africa. This is meant to bring unity and also appreciate our backgrounds. One of the dance leaders Mr. Chris Halelimana said this cultural group has taught him so much right from diverse cultural norms to beliefs. No wonder when they got on stage to perform, the audience couldn't help but stand to dance to their different cultural dances.

This did not exclude the visiting countries especially the US and Singapore to dance to the beautiful sounds of the drums, they could not fail to appreciate the sounds that our ancestors danced to ages ago.

 One Indian gentleman on the occasion who introduced himself as Raj Paknapult said in amazement, "I have not seen such before, people dance as they balance the weight of pots and drums on their heads and they don't fall off!?"

Considering the beauty of the East African tradition, Ndere cultural troupe put it to us that regardless of the languages or skin colors, unity is paramount in all. If it wasn't unity, then the world games would not exist therefore one of the many ways to show this is appreciating our culture. Said one of the dignitaries at the event.