MBARARA- Uganda’s Number 1 heritage music diva, Dorrys Mabanga Mutahunga, has crafted another first that makes a breakthrough in the world of cultural preservation and modernisation.
She has decided to take heritage music to the global stage with the launch of an online show- The Dorrys Global Heritage (or ‘The Dorrys -GHS).
On Sunday, September 5, 2021, she launched the show on Social Media, with a soothing song which is a rendition of the Revival Song “Tukutendereza Yesu” or “Nitukuhimbisa Yesu” that defined the revival movement in Ankore in the early 1960s.
Debuting her first show with this classical song, Dorrys hopes to take her followers on a journey of rediscovery and encounter with a higher being.
But the real deal came in the second show featuring “Nkore” a song praising the Kingdom and nation of Ankole or Nkore in Western Uganda where she was born.
Combining the song with the ‘Dorrys Rhema’ word, spruced up with a musical stage performance of Gospel, Classical and Heritage music, the song launch was one of a kind in Uganda where the world of music has tended to ape the western pop culture.
The ‘Rhema Word’ in some Christian groups is defined as ‘God’s word spoken to you.’ It is the word which the Lord speaks the second time. It is adopted from Greek and has within it, the spiritual seed that releases faith, life and power. Thus, in combining it with heritage music, the diva has returned with a bang, a touch of style to heritage, dousing it in an African musical scent.
Dorrys says the reason she is taking this path is to set forth a voice to loyal followers to find their authentic selves and true meaning of life.
Background:
Back in 2005, the then little – known girl with a music degree from Makerere University, launched her music in a territory not known for modernizing its heritage folk music. At that time, the trophy for number one folk music modernization was held by Buganda in Central Uganda.
The skeptics were right. With a laid-back beat that Kinyankore folk music is, Dorrys was warned by her folks that she risked collapse because Ankole Folk music was never the kind that would rhyme with the pop culture that was fast engulfing the country at the time.
She was told Kinyankore (Ankole) songs would not only fail to create the kind of appeal that comes with the Kiganda (Buganda) popular and urbane music from the central region, singing in Runyankore alone would never endear her to the fast urbanizing Ankole youths- a key target for any upcoming musician in the region- unless she switched to Luganda.
An optimistic Dorrys stayed put. Deep down, she sensed her music degree had thrust her into virgin territory where a tweak with popular cultural musical beats would wake up a sleeping giant that Ankole folk music was. Thus, as she went under, popularizing folk music with a sense of modern touch, wedding after wedding planner, give away ceremony organizers and planners of other social cultural events, placed her on their speed dial. With a busy weekend itinerary, Dorrys became a household name in Western region and beyond.
With a huge leap of faith, she set out to elevate folk music to a higher level and 16 years later, hundreds of young artists from the region have been inspired. Western Uganda’s folk music has not only set its own bar, it has influenced neighboring Rwanda and also firmly joined the ranks of Ugandan music stables of pop, HipHop, R n’ B, Ragga, Afro Beat and Rap, with singer Allan Toniks leading the pack.
Where the online show came from:
In 2008, after winning the highly competitive Pam Awards Artist of the Year (Western) position, she told journalists at the launch of her maiden 11- track album, Keitetsi, that she planned to start a music school, and then go on to place Ugandan folk music at an international level.
“I don’t see myself confined in Mbarara. I will start to move across the country and even make international tours,” she promised.
With a music school to her name tucked in the suburbs of the city of Mbarara, she has now decided to act on her 2008 promise- going international.
What is in it for the fans?
“The Dorrys Global Heritage show shall be airing weekly performance content on her three most versatile areas of singing i.e, Gospel, classical and heritage music,” she wrote to us.
The multi award winning Artist will be interacting with the world on issues of world heritage, authentic living, as well as staging an online performance from any of the above areas of music. The show shall feature every Sunday.
“I envision this being a world platform of sharing world heritage. Starting with mine, and drawing the line back as far as the one creator and his authentic purpose of humanity’s existence,” she says.
She adds: “I want to make the point that we are one. Black or white, tall or short, big or small. However, each one of us was created for a specific divine calling. Through this show, as we appreciate world heritage and humanity, I hope that each one of us gets to find their authentic purpose of living as I found mine. The cutting line is- Love and kindness from one to another.”
Dorrys is convinced that she has something special and fulfilling to tell the world because she has a calling.
“I am the voice, touching humanity with kindness, making this world a better place for the human race,” she says.
According to the seasoned classical, African afro pop, music educator and administrator; gospel, classic and heritage music will dominate part of the performance, a rare package to come from the Pearl of Africa to the rest of the world.
About the song ‘Nkore’
Dorrys told this website this morning that the song ‘Nkore’ is a showcase about not just the beauty of the land but the authentic art of the creator of the universe.
“Ankore is a beautiful land. But I am also not just proud of the beauty of the land but the hand of God on that land, its beautiful flora and fauna, its inhabitants and for bequeathing it with milk and honey,” she says.
This show will be weekly and will be streaming live at 20:00hrs (East African Time) on You Tube, Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp.
To access the show, one needs follow or subscribe to Dorrys accounts as follows:
You Tube: Mutahunga Dorrys
Facebook: Dorrys Mutahunga
Twitter: @Dorrysmutahunga
WhatsApp: +256 782 557 244
There is also the option of following this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFRmsRFdHuQ to the song “NKORE” to subscribe directly on You Tube
Dorrys promises the show will be gripping, teaching, encouraging, polishing, appreciating cultures and entertaining.
Who is Dorrys?
Dorrys Mabanga Mutahunga went to Bweranyangi Girls School in Bushenyi district, a school with a strong music background.
Speaking to The Observer newspaper in 2008, Dorrys said of the school that made her who she is:
“They had a music department from where I learnt how to play the piano and Clarinet,” she says.
Mutahunga then joined Makerere University for a Bachelors in Music. While at university, the singer worked with St. Francis Chapel as the Music Director.
“I was so surprised when I got into the field to find musicians singing off CDs. It’s like miming,” she said in 2008.
“With my supportive husband, I have been forced to find money to start a band,” she says.
The singer’s husband, Vincent Mutahunga, is a chief auditor at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
In 2008 she was nominated for Best Western Artiste and Best Folk Pop Artiste in the Bell PAM awards.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Makerere University and a Master’s Degree in Education from Mbarara University of Science and Technology.