Engalabi

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Engalabi

A man holding an Engalabi in his hands
Percussion instrument

An Engalabi, also known as an Engoma ensajja is a membranophone percussion instrument that is used in Central Africa especially in Uganda by tribes which include the Baganda, Banyankole, Buzimba, and Tagwenda.^[1] It is also known as omugalabi, engaija, egaabi, omugudu, omugwabe, long drum, Engaabe (in Lusoga), emiidiri (in Ateso).^[2][3][4][5]

It is a long, cylindrical drum that is covered with either skin from reptiles such as pythons or monitor lizards, or with skin from antelopes on top of its wooden dowels.^[1][6][7][8] The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has made it illegal to use the skin of the monitor lizard to make long drums, and those caught using it will be fined or imprisoned for six years.^[6]

The Engalabi is first either placed between the knees, held with one arm, or strapped to one's waist or shoulder using a piece of cloth, a banana fiber or a cowhide strap.^[2][9][10] It is subsequently tapped with one's hands, and is often combined with other instruments, such as Ngoma drums, rattles, Ensaasi, royal horns, or flutes.^[2]

Engalabi is commonly used by Ugandan tribes, including the Baganda, Banyankole, Bateso, Basoga, Buzimba, and Tagwenda. It is used during their musical festivals, dance performances and as a means of conveying a message to the society on traditional ceremonies such as "Okwabya Olumbe" which is loosely translated as "Attending the funeral" where it is played through the night, twins intiation rituals. Each sound from the Engalabi had a meaning in Buganda for example "Gwanga Mujje" loosely translated "Community come", "Sagala agalamidde" which is loosely translated as "I don't want anyone sleeping".^[6][5] It is also used by Ugandan musical producers during music production and also in theatre productions such as poetry.^{[2][9][1][11]}

In Buganda, the Baganda women were prohibited to play the engalabi as it was always played while holding it in between the drummers thighs. Women who were breast feeding and also menstruating were prohibited from playing the engalabi.^[2] It was only in the Lubiri where the women were allowed to play the engalabi when a "Masiro" was dedicated to the Kabaka's predecessors by the royal orchestra.^[2] But in the modern Buganda, women also play all traditional musical instruments in traditional musical, dance and theatre performances.^[2]

The monument of Engalabi that is split into two parts with 11 metres high and 12.8 metres in diameter is located at the round about along Kabaka Anjagala road aka royal mile or King's way in Rubaga and it is near Bulange.^[12][13][14] It has other drums called Nankasa at the base.^[12] It is split into two parts to provide access to the Kabakato fulfill his name of "Kabaka Nantawetwa".^[12] The royal mile starts from the Bulange and ends at the Lubiri.^[12]

• Music of Uganda
• Culture of Uganda
• Endongo
• List of African Musical Instruments
• Bakisimba

• African Museum: Engalabi
• NewVision: Uganda traditional musical Instruments