The
Empaako naming rituals will be officially performed to the interested members
of the public at the Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform for action) event to
be held this Saturday, 21st April 2018 at Gardens restaurant – Fort Portal.
More
about the event follow this link http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-will-officially-inaugurate-board-directors-saturday-21st-april-2018/
The
Empaako naming ritual will mainly target people who want to officially confirm
their Empaako names, people from outside the Empaako communities who are
interested in officially getting Empaako name and children who haven’t yet
officially received their Empaako names.
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| Empaako monument in Fort Portal town - Uganda |
Empaako
is naming system whereby in addition to a family and given name, a person 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.
The
12 Empaako’s are Okaali which is reserved for a king, Acaali, Bbala, Apuuli and
Araali which are only reserved for men and finally, Abbooki, Adyeri, Abwoli,
Akiiki, Amooti, Ateenyi and Atwoki for both men and women.
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.
The
Empaako naming ceremony is aimed at strengthening and soldfying the Empaako
naming ritual among the Empaako communities of Banyoro, Batooro, Banyabindi, Batagwenda,
Banyaruguru, Batuku and Ba Nyamboga located in Western Uganda and Eastern DR
Congo respectively.
In
addition, the Empaako naming ceremony is also aimed at inspiring and creating
awareness for people to sustainably embrace and appreciate the Empaako naming
ritual.
According
to Ruth Fatima Nnansimbe Amooti of Engabu Za Tooro, people who want to officially
participate in the Empaako naming ritual will need to first register with
Engabu Za Tooro at their main offices located at Plot 18 Kaija Road, Kabundaire
(behind Gardens Restaurant – Fort Portal) or call on 0483422187.
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| The 12 Empaako names |
The
registration fee for the Empaako naming ceremony is UGX 30,000 and all those
interested will need to report on Friday, 20th April 2018 at Engabu
Za Tooro offices for training.
In
addition, to the official Empaako naming ritual a traditional meal will also be
served and people who will participate in the ritual will need to put on the
required traditional wear.
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