Lira, Uganda | The Paramount Chief of Lango, Eng. Dr. Moses Michael Odongo Okune, has called on his subjects to revive traditional rainmaking rituals.
He urged the community to sing and dance for rain during dry spells, noting that when elders gathered to perform these traditional dances in the past, rain would fall instantly.
Acknowledging the severe dry spells affecting the region, Odongo Okune emphasized that seeking divine intervention during droughts was historically a common practice.
”The Church and the mosque should not misunderstand or judge me wrongly for this move, because people used to do it and God would listen,” Odongo Okune stated.
”This is not superstition, as most people might think; it is about keeping our culture alive so that the younger generation can learn about our heritage,” he added.
The Paramount Chief made these remarks on Sunday evening during a meeting with a group of Lango musicians at his palace in Senior Quarters, Lira City.
Beyond cultural preservation, he appealed to the artists to compose songs promoting reconciliation, urging them to use their music to campaign against domestic violence and divorce, which he noted are widespread in the region.
A renowned gospel artist Peace Among known as Queen Akira encouraged her fellow musicians to use their talents to advocate against domestic violence, promote peace, and reject anything that divides the community.
Multi-award-winning musician Godfrey Tia (known as Brazen Rule) revealed that local artists had benefited from the government’s shs110 million fund for Ugandan performing artists, which helped uplift their livelihoods.
However, Tia called for additional financial backing such as a revolving credit scheme to help musicians purchase costumes, instruments, and produce higher-quality audio and video projects.