An African Oral tradition on women leadership to be inscribed by UNESCO

A Ugandan NGO “Engabu Za Tooro -Tooro Youth Platform for Action” uses culture to promote gender equality. About eleven years ago it identified, research on and profiled a very rich African oral tradition build around a heroine called Koogere and an era of women leadership. 

A gender programme was developed around this oral tradition and its results have been documented. In 2010 the organization worn accreditation to UNESCO to offer advisory services to the Intergovernmental Committee for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. Using this opportunity, the organization in 2011 mobilised women groups to petition UNESCO to inscribe this oral tradition on women leadership on the world list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding. 

Part of the women group who petitioned UNESCO to recorgnise Koogere Oral Tration

The evaluation of the nomination has been going on and the oral tradition is scheduled to be inscribed during the 10^th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage which will take place from 30^th November to 4^th December 2015 in Windheock Namibia. 

Representatives of the bearer indigenous women groups are given opportunity to show case the oral tradition during that UNESCO global meeting as part of the inscription process. The organization is currently fundraising for 50,000 US dollars, to facilitate the travel of 20 indigenous women folk performers who will show case. We shall be happy to receive comments and possible partnership.

Email: engabuzatooro@gmail.com

Website: http://www.engabuzatooro.or.ug

To access the full dossier of the Koogere Oral Tradition go to:

http://www.unesco.org/culture/ich/index.php?pg=00704.