Leader Okello Kelo Sam shared that the first performance, seen here with large drums, called an Engoma, was chosen because these were used to let the community know it was time to gather. – Photo by Sarah Beth Radomsky
ST. CROIX FALLS –The St. Croix Falls High School Fine Arts Center hosted a celebration of Ugandan culture and music on Saturday, Feb. 22, as the Pamoja Project brought the Mizizi Ensemble from Uganda to perform alongside local students. The free concert, which welcomed public attendees with donations appreciated, took place in the evening. An art gallery at the school was filled with Ugandan-themed art pieces created by local Saints students, and all of the hand-crafted instruments used in the performance brought from Uganda by the Mizizi Ensemble were for sale, as well as many items in a pop-up Made-in-Uganda shop.
The event marked the U.S. launch of the Pamoja Project, a collaboration between St. Croix Falls music teacher Shawn Gudmunsen and Ugandan musician Okello Kelo Sam. Initiated through their 30-year friendship, the project aimed to promote indigenous Ugandan music and foster cultural exchange. The Mizizi Ensemble, led by Okello Kelo Sam, joined student performers from St. Croix Falls. The group shared a variety of hand-crafted instruments from Uganda, delivering a unique musical experience as well as traditional dances and songs. A documentary trailer highlighting the project’s summer study debuted during the concert as well, with promises to release the full documentary free of charge once it was complete.
Gudmunsen, who also lectures at UW-River Falls, expressed excitement about the event. “It’s been so fun to show them around,” he said, noting the ensemble’s arrival from Uganda’s equatorial warmth of 78 degrees to Minnesota’s frigid minus 4 degrees at MSP airport on Feb. 20. Pastor Chris Folkestad assisted with transportation, and the group bundled up to explore a Midwest winter, including a stop in Luck where they were hosted by Luck Lutheran Church and enjoyed visiting a recently constructed ice castle there.
Sam explained the distinct nature of their shows, emphasizing a foundation in community spirit over strict adherence to a script. Sam noted the programs are informed by a “Spirit of oneness,” fostering mutual value and respect. This spirit, he said, prompts consideration for others, rooting community roles and laws in the heart, which then shapes the conscience. “When our conscience tells us comfort is where we are, we celebrate together.”
The Pamoja Project, supported by Hope North Peace and Production and the Regenerative Farm Academy, focuses on art’s role in promoting peace and cultural appreciation. It was shared that the project had been funded by roughly $68,000 in grant monies over the last five years, as well as multiple local organizations. Sharing about a commitment to education based in a respect for his aunt who worked to allow her family to attend school despite not having the opportunity herself due to discrimination against women in her generation, Sam stated, “Knowledge is the best liberator of any human mind.” He went on to share that he had supported over 4,000 children in educational endeavors and that much of his work centers around schools. The Mizizi Ensemble’s visit extended beyond St. Croix Falls, with performances at UW-River Falls on Feb. 27, and UW-Superior on March 4.
