Image from, "Abayudaya: The Jews of Uganda" by Richard Sobol
Ugandan Jewish Music Story aired: Monday, October 04, 2004
The Abayudaya people of Uganda sing of the fragility of life. Translated, their lyrics say phrases like "God creates and then destroys" and describe how death follows everyone, all the time.
The Jewish community of Abayudaya are 600 strong and have existed in Uganda for 80 years. Their songs reflect their faith. Rabbi Jeffrey Summit, associate professor of music at Tufts University, traveled to Uganda in 2000 and 2002 to record the Abayudaya. His recently released CD on Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is called "Abayudaya: Music from the Jewish People of Uganda."
