Centuries-old tradition of drum making in Uganda battling modernity

STORY: Centuries-old tradition of drum making in Uganda battling modernity DATELINE: March 13, 2022 LENGTH: 00:05:31 LOCATION: Kampala CATEGORY: CULTURE SHOTLIST: various of people making drumsSOUNDBITE 1 (Luganda): FRANCIS YIGA, Drum makerSOUNDBITE 2 (Luganda): FRANCIS YIGA, Drum makerSOUNDBITE 3 (Luganda): FRANCIS YIGA, Drum makerSOUNDBITE 4 (Luganda): FRED MWANJJE, Drum maker STORYLINE: Uganda is a country in the East African region with a rich diversity of cultures passed onto generations through oral storytelling and practice. A drum is one of the must-haves in communication for villagers in the traditional African setting. When village authorities use drums to pass on messages, residents have to listen carefully. It was also a key musical instrument in times of sorrow, a bad crop harvest, or in times of happiness, like enthroning a new king. Drums are now quickly being replaced by other forms of communication, putting the traditional drum-making skill on a collision course with modernity.