Sending love from Gulu

(Women Education class at Aloklum IDP camp)

Saturday after updating on here, Erin and I got fitted for traditional dresses!! We spent 30 minutes picking out fabrics and designs, and I even tried on a model dress in the back room. When I came out, they laughed. It was an encouraging laugh though.

I finally settled on a sunflower pattern, and I can pick it up tomorrow. You can expect pictures as soon as I get it back. For the shirt and blouse, it's only 30,000 shillings, or 20 US dollars. Not bad. Erin and I are going to wear them to the next Knoxville Jazz for Justice concert!

That night, the group we're trying to sponsor to bring to the States for a tour, Acholi Heart Beat, came to the Acholi Inn to perform for us. THEY WERE INCREDIBLE!! the whole time they danced and played their instruments I kept thinking, "they have to come to UT!" It was great because they're all around our age and they're being given an opportunity to live their dreams. Some are at Makerere University and others are becoming tailors or boda boda drivers or carpenters. They are supported by Dr. Phoebe Abe, and can become whatever they aspire to be.

Yesterday, I went to an Anglican church service at the same church as the wedding, Christ Church. It was in Acholi, but Winnie translated for us, and in the beginning, we stood up and introduced ourselves to the church. It was great... they all clapped and welcomed us. We were the only muzungos, white people, in the whole building. And if only every church service at home was so powerful! At the end there was a "fellowship" were people gathered around the musicians and danced. And did they really dance! The songs never seemed to end, and Erin and I had to stand by the door after awhile, we were so hot. We got great footage of the traditional instruments there too.

After church, we went to lunch at Bambu restaurant. There George explained to me the names of all of the instruments. The lukeme is the thumb piano. George claims that it originated in his home town. The adungu is the harp. There is a big one which is the mother, and little ones which are the children. The rigirigi is the violin, and it has one string. It is my favorite. Together, the instruments sound better than any Western arrangement could ever sound. I hope I can buy some and bring them home with me.

Sunday evening after a nap, we had a meeting with the elders. One man, Mzee Anamia Akera will be 93 years old in September and is the oldest living Acholi. Listening to them talk was awe-inspiring. We recorded them discussing the traditional justice system of mato oput. We were told that mato oput does not condone impunity, but restores lost human dignity. In simplest terms, it involves those involved confronting one another, restoring the broken relationships, forgiveness through truth-telling, and healing in hearts because guilt and disgrace is exposed and addressed. I believe I'm going to focus more on mato oput in my research, so hopefully I can offer a more comprehensive explanation at a later date.

They also explained to us about the propaganda about the war and how the West is so confused about the origins of the war. The war really began because someone touched an Acholi woman. And it began not with Kony, but between the Acholi and Museveni and his government. This too, I must investigate further. This is such a complex conflict. I hope to give it justice in the future.

Today Erin and I spent some more time with the Acholi Heart Beat girls Florence and Lilly and the head boy, Balaam. They are so friendly. We're going to Florence's house later this week.

So that's an update for what we've experienced so far.

I also have so much to talk about on Invisible Children, the defilement of women, and other aspects of the war. But, I must leave some stories for when I return home!

Thank you for taking the time to read this. And thanks to the University of Tennessee for putting Erin and I on the front page of the utk website. Haha, everyone keeps saying they can see our faces, but the page won't load here. I wonder what photo it is!

(Wedding dancer)

(Wedding dancer)


(Kids in the IDP camp)

HOLLY!!!!!!!!! THEY'RE PLAYING THE MAMBO SAWA SAWA SONG IN THE INTERNET CAFE!!!!!!!!