THE KINGS CLOWNS(ABASEEGU)
Abaseegu perform and also play on wind instruments called enseegu(cone-flutes).
Abaseegu occupied a very high social status because of their role in the Kingdom, and it was very hard to move close to them
The enseegu were important royal instruments, and their players occupied a high position in the palace.
The enseegu music was played every day (together with the entimbo music) at the king’s bedroom window to soothe him to sleep and to wake him up. This music also accompanied the king during royal processions
Apart from playing the ensegu instrument, they also praised the king ironically, as if to insult him.
The abaseegu made serious points that made the King adjust his behavior accordingly, the abaseegu could say anything before the king and would not be punished but instead rewarded, sometimes with a bull.
They were useful in pointing out what the king had failed to do or a scandal he might have caused.
Abasegu are of Abasuuli clan. Omusegu is a King’s jester(comedian) whose role is every morning to abuse the king by use of foul and vulgar words in order to make him smile or laugh (okwera).
Jests included the following:
Aturubaire, Acudiize, Ohukumaire, Otundubaire, Ofadadaire
Kirole nkokukihurubaire!
[Behold how gloomy he is!]
Ebitama byakyo mbe!
[Look at his big cheeks!]
Kikurora ebiroliroli nkekitakurora!
[Stares like a blind person!]
Kirole ebitiwa byakyo!
[Behold his ugly lips!]
Kihurubaire nkebisisi bitafumuirwe!
[He is wearing a gloomy face like those of gourds!]
However, when the king smiled a bit, they then praise him positively:
Keere nkyanungi!
[May you laugh, the good lord!]
Keere agutamba!
[May you laugh, Lord!]
Keere rukirabasaija!
[May you laugh, the greatest among man!]
The abaseegu regulated the king’s actions since people usually took advantage of their status to communicate to the king his weaknesses so that he might adjust. In this way, the abaseegu acted as an administrative tool for reprimanding the king and bringing about royal order, by indirectly controlling the king’s power.
In centralised societies where the king has absolute power, it is hard to reprimand him when necessary. However, music and clown-ism provides systems of addressing people who are untouchable.
Example of words used to warn the King or help him adjust his behavior
Ofadadaire aho, tokuhuliriza ebyabantu bakugamba!
[You have parked yourself there, without taking note of what the people are saying!]
Omukama koima!
[You are a tight-fisted king!]
Koli mufu!
[You are dead!]
Ebinyindo bikucuncumuka omwiika!
[Your nose is steaming with smoke !]