Engabu Za Tooro launches a 20 percent self-help initiative to preserve Empaako heritage

An elder making a contribution

The head of the Empaako safeguarding committee Msgr. Peter Jumaraki Araali has officially launched the 20 percent self help initiative to preserve the Empaako intangibale cultural heritage. Msgr. Kumaraki launched the initiative during the official inauguration of Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform for Action) Board of Directors at Garden’s Restaurant – Fort Portal on Saturday, 21^st April 2018.

“The 20 percent self help initiative has started with your presence at this function, we need to strengthen the local support towards the safeguarding of our Empaako Intangible cultural heritage.” Said Msgr. Kumaraki.

Msgr. Kumaraki who is also the new Engabu Za Tooro Board Chairperson while speaking at the function indicated that the first goal is to strengthen the languages of the Empaako communities, “we need to first strengthen our language because it’s our first identity through learning to write and speak it well.” Said Msgr. Kumaraki.

The function which was presided over by Prof. Edward Rugumayo of the Tooro Elder’s Forum attracted over 500 people from the Empaako communities of Batooro, Banyoro, Basongora, Banyaruguru, Batagwenda, Batuku, Banyabindi and Ba Nya Mboga from Western Uganda and Eastern DR Congo respectively.

The new EZT Board of Directors

Other respected community elders who attended the event are Rev. Richard Baguma Adyeri, Mr. Richard Rwabuhinga Abbooki (District Chairperson - Kabarole), the current and previous Kogere’s Ms. Rehema Kobusinge Adyeri and Ms. Alice Basemera Adyeri, Mr. John Byabagambi Ateenyi from Kitagwenda and Mrs. Resty Balinda Adyeri who is a previous Board Member of Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform for Action).

“I am happy that the new team of Engabu Za Tooro Board of Directors is a solid team because it’s made up highly respectable people in our communities.” Said Prof. Rugumayo while speaking at the function.

The Board of Directors of Engabu Za Tooro are Prof. Oswald Ndoleriire Ateenyi who is the patron, Msgr. Peter Kumaraki who is the Board Chairman and Mr. Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki who is the Executive Director.

Other Board members are Dr. Richard Irumba Amooti (PhD), Mr. George Mwebembezi Atwoki, Mrs. MaryTibamwenda Atwoki, Mr. Isaaya Kalya Atwoki, Ms. Barbara Kabanyoro Ateenyi, Mrs. Winifred Mabiiho Atwoki, Mrs. Vanice Kagaba Amooti.

During the function, over Uganda Shillings 1,000,000 was collected by the people who attended the event.

EZT Cultural troupe performing at the event

While speaking at the function, the Patron of Engabu Za Tooro Prof. Oswald Ndoleriire indicated that Tooro is still strong evidenced by the inscription of the Empaako heritage by UNESCO, co-funding the safeguarding of Empaako by UNESCO, recorgnition of Mountains of the Moon University as a public university and inclusion of Runyoro – Rutooro in the curriculum of Uganda’s education system.

The Executive Director of Engabu Za Tooro, Mr. Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki while speaking at the function emphasized that no one can develop without his or her own personal contribution to achieve his or her dream hence the need to embrace and appreciate the co-funding of this project by 20 percent since it’s about safeguarding our own intangible cultural heritage of Empaako.

During this event, guests who will attend will be entertained by cultural music perfomers and comedians like Kigambo Moses Araali, Master Kalenzi, Kabagambe Salongo, Andrew Rubongoya, Kijegere, Kahwa Kansengerwa and EZT cultural troupe among others.

The current and old Kogere who attended the event

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.

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.