POEM: AKAYO ROCKS MBARARA

* This is a poem by a poet/journalist who attended our December 19, show in Mbarara, Uganda. He tries to paint a picture for those who could have missed the action.

Akayo rocks Mbarara
By Ebenezer T. Bifubyeka,
Poet, Journalist and Author.


What a surprise for a group that started small as a church choir 15 years ago but now not only sings but dances and acts!

The group now excels in doing all these and in staging shows!
It is not only rare but strange; strange but true!

Ululating noise of the excited viewers attracted many to Mbarara Catholic Social Centre;
Viewers at the Akayo’s launch of its 10th audio album on Dec. 19, 2010 were shocked!
Not only shocked of the success of their group’s member’s family but of the entire group.

The excitement goes to maximum after the three-man group of young boys goes on stage,
They sing with no instrument; their voices are the beats that reverberate like a lion’s roar!

Their gospel songs are punctuated by scenes of drama, blended with modern dance styles
And intervals of both wedding and military match-like strokes!
Their creativity is heightened by the vibrant Ruharo Gospel Singers headed by Mr Muhoozi aka AKataama!

Then Akayo comes in again with two main actors splashing in their own kind of English: ‘Ndakuraavinga’ (I love you)!
‘Out-dateda’ for outdated!
It’s a humble but a lovely couple.
Christmas is a few months away; the husband buys clothes and presents for his spouse.
The wife sees all these as nothing so long as there is no gomesi and meat for Christmas!
The husband hasn’t even bought the beans from the market and plants them –
But he orders his wife to prepare ekijamba when those beans mature!
Then the husband switches on to Rukiga;

‘Ndenda oteeke ekijamba ha Christmas! (I want you to prepare bean leaves on Christmas day).’ ‘I won’t do that! Never!’ swears the irate wife.

‘Orakiteeka! (You will prepare it)’ insists the husband.
‘Tindakiteeka, walayi ekijamba tindakiteeka (I won’t; I swear I won’t)!’
The short, small but strong wife jumps and grabs the husband by the neck over ekijamba!

She clobbers the husband until he screams for help! Beads of sweats collect on his brow!
He wipes his sweat with his shirt before the neighbours intervene to save the poor man!
The defeated and ridiculed husband consoles himself that he nearly killed the ka-wife –
Had it not been the intervention of the neighbours!

Then Kacebezi changes his name to Katemere as he carries the offertory basket around!

Such was the fun on a sunny Sunday evening.

THANK YOU ALL

We thank you all who supported us during our launch of Vol 10 audio album and fund raising for a group vehicle on Sunday December 19, and more to those who physically attended the function.

We also pray for all those who pledged to honour payments before end of January next year.

Thank you all, may god bless you.

We also wish you all a merry Christmas and happy new year.

Keep checking on us through facebook and You Tube, we shall give you our Christmas gift and New year gift because you have been good friends throughout the year.

Together we can make it. Just trust the Lord ) Isaiah 40:31


AKAYO SINGERS,
A leading gospel music and drama group,
Shop No. 24, Balya Plaza bldg,
Makhan Singh Street, Mbarara town
C/O P.O.BOX 466, MBARARA, UGANDA