John Katokye (Nyege Nyege Tapes, Uganda) – Traditional African Music Duo – Western Uganda Throat Singing

https://nyegenyegetapes.bandcamp.com/album/obuhangwa-bwa-banyankore-na-bahororo

Video by Vincent Moon:

Katokye – Obuhangwa bwa Banyankore na Bahororo

Watch this video on YouTube

John Katokye has spent his life immersed in the traditional songs of the Banyankore people of Western Uganda. Growing up herding cattle to support himself, he honed his craft over decades and is now recognized as one of the region’s most talented traditional singers.

Specializing in ekyeshongoro (literally “song”), Katokye improvises short, poetic phrases reflecting on family, regional history, and the landscapes where iconic longhorn cattle graze. Backup singers often overlap his lines in a continuous vocal flow that can exceed 10 minutes, transforming each performance into a mesmerizing, meditative experience.

With the release of Obuhangwa bwa Banyankore na Bahororo (out on Nyege Nyege Tapes), Katokye brings the hypnotic vocal traditions of Western Uganda to a global audience, delivering an album that is both culturally vital and unlike anything most listeners have encountered.

Katokye‘s international premiere happened at Le Guess Who? in Utrecht on November 8th, 2025, and is available for European bookings in 2026. >> https://leguesswho.com/news/katokye-live-lgw25

Presale/door prices adjusted: our events are set up by volunteers in favour of supporting DIY touring acts, but it is getting ever more risky to plan and book events – please support the community and buy your tickets early! Presale closes 18.00 on day of the show.