Eijugo

Other name: engorogoro.

The eijugo is an ankle rattle made up of one single metal bell, containing a small metal ball that functions as a clapper. The bell has a diameter of 5 to 6 cm and as such is larger than the amayugo. Like with the amayugo, there are two openings at the back of the bell through which a cord made of plant fibre or an animal material is pulled. The bell is attached to the dancers' ankles with that same cord. (For an explanation about materials, see the amayugo).

The eijugo is worn by both men and women and is worn not just round the ankles but also on the hips and thighs. It is then also called an engorogoro.

The eijugo used to be prevalent all over Ankole, but its use has become rather rare now.

The eijugo is always used in combination with other instruments, primarily drums and rattles. The eijugo is worn during dances performed at wedding celebrations and during the enyogyera circle dance of the women, as well as during the ordinary relaxation dances.

for more information see also: VAN THIEL, Paul, "Multi-Tribal Music of Ankole. An ethnomusicological study including a glossary of musical terms." Edited by the Royal Museum for Central Africa, Annales, Sciences Humaines, nr 91, 1977, 234 pp.