Don’t dance seductively – Imbalu female celebrants told

Mbale, (UG):- Imbalu female celebrants urged not to dance seductively in an incident which may cause car drivers to veer off the road and result in accidents.

The revelation was made by Mr Steven Masiga, the spokesperson of Inzuya Masaba Cultural Institution in a media briefing on Monday afternoon at the Institution’s headquarters in Mbale City.

Mr Masiga also pleaded with motorists to concentrate on the steering wheel while driving during the Imbalu celebrations instead of focusing on the dancers. “In the past, many people have perished in road accidents due to a lack of concentration,” he warned, adding that the Kadodi dancers often dancing in a provocative manner should also stop.

“Some of our people dance in a very enticing way, and this may distract drivers,” he said. “We urge both Kadodi celebrants and road users, including motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians, to be alert during the Kadodi season,” Mr Masiga emphasized.

The 2024 Imbalu Ceremony will take place on August 3rd at the Mutoto Cultural Grounds in Mbale, about two kilometres from the city centre.

The Imbalu, which falls after every two years is celebrated officially by the Bamasaba of Uganda and Kenya, particularly in the districts and counties of Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Mbale City, Mbale District, Bududa, Sironko, Namisindwa, Bulambuli, and Manafwa.

The Imbalu of the Bamasaba is a significant event celebrated every two years. The official circumcision ceremony is flagged off in August and cascades down into clans to be celebrated until late September in various parts of Masabalands.