Celebrating a decade of alternative African music and culture, the Nyege Nyege festival gathers over three hundred artists from around the world performing across six stages for an unforgettable event. From November 20 to 23, traditional African rhythms will blend with modern and futuristic styles in this electronic music fest in Uganda.
The title of the festival, Nyege Nyege, in the Luganda language means, quite literally, an irresistible urge to dance. This carefree message sets the tone not only for the concerts but also the vibe of the weekend, which includes fashion, film, and other outdoor activity options.
Held at the Kalagala Falls, considered a sacred place, the festival celebrates African culture, both within the continent and across the diaspora from places like the Caribbean, Latin America, and more, and “calls artists, collectives, and movements worldwide to gather, share, and co-create a new cultural map rooted in sound, art, solidarity, and joy.”
The theme for this year’s event: how far they have come and where they are going. In the words of the Nyege Nyege’s organisation: “This year, we celebrate a decade of journeys — honouring our past and envisioning the future. By inaugurating a home for the next ten years, we celebrate what makes Nyege Nyege truly unique: the music, the people, the vibe, the nature, and the community that carries it all.”
With music at the centre, Nyege Nyege also celebrates other creative outlets. For example, they’re organising a festival within the festival called Kwetu Kwanza, focusing on fashion, which celebrates “Africa’s visionary designers, stylists, and image-makers with runway takeovers, styling rituals, wearable art, and pop-ups.” The seventh art will also be present through the Matatu Film Stage, dedicated to showcasing “daring, independent films from across the continent.”
The full programme and lineup of artists and activities is yet to be revealed. However, Nyege Nyege has been building an incredible reputation and cementing a strong identity over the past ten years thanks to their curation, so you can be positive that this year’s edition will be even stronger.
