Fumbo

By Regina Asinde                                                                           Download  pdf epub html

I heard the untamed thudding of the long drum fumbo,

I heard the untamed thudding of the long drum fumbo,
felt the frenzied throbbing of the fumbo
and poignant melodies of the string guitar tongoli
but through this all I heard you calling me;
and like at the beginning I danced the fumbo dance.
I wiggled and wriggled my waist like a caterpillar
my right knee slightly bent forward
inwards my toes sunk, out I pulled them.
up and down my ankles twirled and whirled.
I was caught up in the tempo
frenzied with the agony of your loss;
a shrill cry wrungout of me
piercing the pulsating night.


I blended with the palpitating sounds of the string guitar
that awoke me during moonlit nights,
the thudding throbs of the long drum
that guided my feet across shadowy footpaths,
in harmony to the melodious teke
and persistent ankle bells
“Follow the music and you will find me,” you always said

I could hear you call out to me
through the far away thumping of the fumbo
It vibrated and echoed, resounding over and over
kudeep-thum-thum Kudeep-thum-thum
ting-ting-tingili-ting ting-ting-tingili-ting.
The melody lent zeal to my feet
till at long last I would emerge
from the darkness into the swarming mass
of sweat-drenched dancers sopping with exhaustion.

All around, the ankle bells jingled
as the sweating throng moved their bodies in tune.
I avoided the groping fingers of yach
as I searched for you
yearning to dance for you, with you
“Follow the music,” you always said
and like a moth to a flame I was drawn to you!

A shrill shriek was wrung from me
echoing through the lifeless night;
and like in life I danced for you,
willing you to follow the music.

≈≈

Download to read on mobile devices pdf epub html
≈≈

Regina Asinde Kasede is a thirty two year old female Ugandan from Mulanda in Tororo district. She currently lives in Kyebando, in Kampala city, with her four children and her husband. She works as a volunteer at Femrite, Uganda Women Writers’ Association, and she writes poetry and short stories.  


You Might Also Enjoy Other Articles in this Issue  


Short Fiction

Poetry

Spoken Word

Special Section: BN Poetry Awards 

Insane Living ~~ Dorothie Ayebazibwe