IN OLD AFRICAN tradition, the fire place was used as an informal venue for elders to meet young people to pass on wise counsel and also tell stories. It was also a place for family, friends or clan members met for night celebrations. A group of youths has borrowed a leaf from this tradition and they hold the Bonfire Night every Wednesday at National Theatre in Kampala. Bonfire Uganda is a community based organization which uses visual and verbal art forms for the integration of a diverse cultural heritage worldwide. It is a podium for self-expression with no rules or restrictions and everyone is welcome to share his or her talent be it singing, painting, poetry, storytelling or even dancing. The Executive Director of Bonfire Uganda, ABASS HASSAN MUHAMMAD IBRAHIM AMIN alas Ugly Emcee talked to BAMUTURAKI MUSINGUZI. Picture by Morgan Mbabazi. Excerpts:
Why the ‘name’ Ugly emcee?’
Well I decided to use this name for if meant so much to me. You know so many people see things in a negative way and even when you decide to freely express yourself you’re not considered to be fit thus an Ugly attitude towards you. In simplicity Ugly is basically the true definition of self esteem. It simply stands for you got to love yourself.
What motivated you to start Bonfire Uganda?
We wanted young people to share knowledge, skills and ideas and to interlink social information through arts and culture. Bonfire Uganda would then seek, enhance and maintain the freedom of conscience, expression, association, academic liberty, artistic liberty and all rights and privileges accruing to members by virtue of their humanity, age sex, status, citizenship and other relevant criteria thus promoting enjoyment of their freedom and rights as young people with a diverse cultural heritage, indigenous wisdom, values and skills.
What is the difference between Bonfire and that held in the traditional setting?
Bonfire is all about young people freely expressing themselves regardless of their race, tribe, citizenship and denomination through a platform. – Bonfire Nite with the Art of poetry, music, dance, acrobatics and so much talent for a positive social change. It’s all about peer to peer counseling through art and culture unlike in the traditional setting where the young people were only trained to listen to the elders.
Nevertheless in this urban world today, there are so many young people and due to different cultures coming together then Bonfire is the good way to go for they can now freely shave their ‘fires’ (ideas) with each other. Otherwise Bonfire only makes a new traditional Bonfire into this generation unlike in the traditional Bonfire where cultures and values are passed to the next generation to keep it moving.
What is the future for Bonfire?
Bonfire Uganda will be the sole linkage of adverse culture heritage Worldwide with young people from all continents sharing their ideas and knowledge through Art and culture at the Bonfire International Art Festival.
Have you noticed enthusiasm among Ugandans for Bonfire? Or do you think they prefer live music performances, television and cinema?
Of cause yes because it is so interesting educative and entertaining however some people who are busy and can’t come to the nite, prefer watching if on television, DVD, or listening. We are now working on a TV show for the Bonfire dubbed Bonfire Swagga.
Among the Bonfire presentations what interests Ugandans the most? Why?
The music. Most especially rap music which is poetic and the art of dance for instance break dancing, popping and locking because they can freely express themselves in these forms of art and their fans too like them very much.
What have been your major achievements?
We are improving on the inter-cultural relation locally, regionally and internationally. Bonfire Uganda has built a platform for poets, story tellers, acrobats, hip-hop among others on a weekly basis. It is also bridged the gap between the advantage and disadvantaged. Bonfire has also established a collaborative relationship with various Cultural organizations like the Uganda National Cultural Centre and Alliance Francaise Kampala.
Ends.
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