Empaako clan leaders to officially endorse the UNESCO co-funded Empaako safeguarding

Clan leaders from the Empaako communities of the Batuku, Batagwenda, Banyabindi, Basongora, Banyoro, Banyaruguru, Banyamboga have been invited by the head of the Empaako safeguarding committee Msgr Peter Kumaraki on Saturday April, 2018 at Engabu Za Tooro main offices in Fort Portal, Western Uganda.

The 12 fixed Empaako names

During this event, the Executive Director of Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform for Action), Stephen Rwagweri will also present a report on the detailed plans for the safeguarding of Empaako. In addition, the clan leaders will also work out strategies’ for the sustainable safeguarding of the Empaako intangible cultural heritage among the Empaako communities in both Uganda and DR Congo.

The United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) adopted a decision to co-fund a two year project for the safeguarding of Empaako naming system during the 12^th session of the UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage which was held in December, 2017 at the International Convention Centre located in Jeju Island in the Republic of South Korea.

Empaako is naming system whereby in addition to a family and given name, a child is given a special name called Empaako selected from a fixed and closed list of 12 Empaako names shared by the entire society and used as a declaration of respect, endearment or affection.

Who can get what Empaako name

This practice has been shared and transmitted from generation to generation in communities located in Western Uganda, Eastern DR Congo and Northern Tanzania.

However, the Empaako naming practice is facing threats of extinction mostly due to decline of its mother language (Runyoro - Rutooro), modernization and attack from modern religious extremist denominations.