Ugandan Jews Score Grammy Nod
In 1919, Semi Kakungulu broke with the Christian missionaries who had converted him, circumscised his sons and declared himself and his community Jewish. From the 1920’s on, Jewish travellers have visited the community and taught contemporary practice, brought siddurim and tapes of nusach, rabbinic guidance and other resources. In the mid-90’s they were finally able to build a synagogue and obtain a kosher Torah. The spiritual leader of the 600-strong community, Gershom Sizomu, is now studying for rabbinic ordination in Los Angeles at the University of Judaism.
And now, the album of the community’s darn right beautiful music, Abayudaya: Music from the Jewish People of Uganda (Smithsonian Folkways) has just been nominated for a Grammy in the category of Traditional World Music Album. Hit the link to hear African melodies to Lecha Dodi, Mi Chamocha, Adon Olam, various tehillim and other good stuff.
Mazel tov and yasher koach to the whole community.
omg sooo good..must. have. copy.
—mobius in israel · December 9th, 2004 at 3:45 am
ah yea definitely, i remember the ugandan jews selling their kippot at a summer camp thing i did a long time ago…cool kippot with menorahs on it and shtuff - also check out the cd of the Indian Jews from the Museum of the Jewish diaspora
—eli · December 9th, 2004 at 7:37 am
Wow. Really beautiful stuff.
—harry · December 9th, 2004 at 8:27 am
This is such cool news! I love this album.
I’m going to go blog about this now — thanks for the tip…
—Rachel · December 9th, 2004 at 9:36 am
i would like to buy this fabulous album ,but it´s too expensive to buy it from here, in Brazil:-) but it´s fantastic that people now know the jews from Uganda.
bye, lehitraot
Uri Lam from Sao Paulo, Brazil
—Uri Lam - Brazil · February 15th, 2005 at 11:57 am