Kijegere and Mukwikwi Kaserebe perform Empaako naming ritual and traditional Runyege dance to UNESCO delegates in Mauritius

Kijegere and Mukwikwi after their performance

Engabu Za Tooro cultural practitioners have performed Empaako naming ritual and the traditional Runyege dance to the delegates at the sidelines of the UNESCO’s 13^th session of Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The performances which attracted huge crowds was attended by UNESCO ambassadors from around the world, UNESCO experts, ministers of culture from around the world and other delegates attending the UNESCO’s 13^th session in Mauritius.

To effectively showcase Uganda’s rich culture to the outside world especially the Empaako naming ritual and the traditional Runyege dance, the two Engabu Za Tooro cultural practitioners have been invited to perform in hotels and other entertainment centers around Port Louis area in Mauritius.

Because of wearing traditional attires and performing their unique and rich Uganda culture, the two Engabu Za Tooro cultural practitioners have become instant celebrities especially among the UNESCO delegates who constantly request for their permissions to have photos taken with them.

Kijegere and Mukwikwi having a photo with a delegate

The two Engabu Za Tooro cultural practitioners are Zebidayo Mwesige Abbooki (Kaserebe Mukwikwi), a folklore artist and Stephen Mugabo Abbooki (Kijegere), a ritual guide who are attending the UNESCO global meeting in Mauritius to showcase Uganda’s rich culture to the world.

The one week UNESCO global meeting is taking place at Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVCC) in Port Louis in the Republic of Mauritius from 26^th November to 1^st December 2018.

Engabu Za Tooro Executive Director Stephen RwagweriAtwoki who is also the head of the Engabu Za Tooro delegation to UNESCO’s global meeting in Mauritius is also attending the UNESCO global meeting as an observer since Engabu Za Tooro is accredited to provide advisory services to UNESCO (ICH Convention).

Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki is also presenting the Empaako safeguarding and revitalization project report to UNESCO’s global meeting in Mauritius.

EZT delegation to Mauritius

Currently, Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform) is implementing a UNESCO co-funded two year project UGA 01210 aimed at revitalizing ceremonies and practices associated with Empaako naming system in Uganda.

The project is being implemented in the five communities of Batooro, Banyoro, Batuku, Batagwenda and Banyabindi of Western Uganda.

More on the UNESCO international meeting in Mauritius follow the links;

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/empaako-safeguarding-revitalization-progress-report-presented-approved-unesco-experts-recommend-tangible-community-self-contributions/

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/empaako-naming-system-explained-delegates-attending-unesco-global-meeting-mauritius/

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/head-engabu-za-tooro-delegation-stephen-rwagweri-atwoki-departs-mauritius-unescos-global-meeting/

http://engabuzatooro.blogspot.com/2018/11/kijegere-and-kaserebe-mukwikwi-heading.html

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-cultural-practitioners-hold-goodbye-show-fort-portal-departing-mauritius/

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-offers-travel-sponsorship-two-cultural-practitioners-attend-unesco-international-meeting-mauritius-showcase-empaako-rituals/

Empaako safeguarding and revitalization progress report presented and approved, UNESCO experts recommend tangible community self-contributions

Stephen Rwagweri and Mukwikwi at the UNESCO meeting

The head of Engabu Za Tooro delegation to the UNESCO global meeting in Mauritius, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki has officially presented the Empaako safeguarding and revitalization project report at the UNESCO global meeting in Mauritius but UNESCO experts who are monitoring the Empaako project have recommended tangible community self-contributions.

The one week UNESCO global meeting is taking place at Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVCC) in Port Louis in the Republic of Mauritius from 26^th November to 1^st December 2018.

While presenting the Empaako safeguarding and revitalization project report, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki indicated that so far, Engabu Za Tooro has already developed a practical guide to community self-documentation of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), conducted a ten days training of trainers workshop in Fort Portal and conducted a community based capacity building workshop in Fort Portal.

Stephen Rwagweri presenting Empaako report

Rwagweri Atwoki adds “Engabu Za Tooro has also documented ceremonies and practices associated with Empaako naming system, disseminated and archived ceremonies and practices associated with Empaako naming system and set up a state of the art ICH documentation unit”

Since UNESCO is contributing 80 percent and Empaako community is supposed to contribute 20 percent, Engabu Za Tooro will soon officially launch a 20 percent “Tutemu Engaro” community self-help contribution to ensure proper sustainability of Empaako safeguarding and revitalization.

Engabu Za Tooro cultural practitioners Zebidayo Mwesige (Kaserebe Mukwikwi), a folklore artist and Stephen Mugabo (Kijegere), a ritual guide are also attending the UNESCO global meeting in Mauritius.

The two cultural practitioners will be performing Empaako naming ritual and showcasing Uganda’s culture to the delegates at the sidelines of the UNESCO’s 13^th session of Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

EZT delegation to Mauritius

Currently, Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform) is implementing a UNESCO co-funded two year project UGA 01210 aimed at revitalizing ceremonies and practices associated with Empaako naming system in Uganda.

The project is being implemented in the five communities of Batooro, Banyoro, Batuku, Batagwenda and Banyabindi of Western Uganda.

More on the UNESCO international meeting in Mauritius follow the links;

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/empaako-naming-system-explained-delegates-attending-unesco-global-meeting-mauritius/

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/head-engabu-za-tooro-delegation-stephen-rwagweri-atwoki-departs-mauritius-unescos-global-meeting/

http://engabuzatooro.blogspot.com/2018/11/kijegere-and-kaserebe-mukwikwi-heading.html

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-cultural-practitioners-hold-goodbye-show-fort-portal-departing-mauritius/

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-offers-travel-sponsorship-two-cultural-practitioners-attend-unesco-international-meeting-mauritius-showcase-empaako-rituals/

Empaako naming system explained to delegates attending the UNESCO global meeting in Mauritius

Rwagweri and Mukwikwi entering the convention center

Engabu Za Tooro cultural practitioners explained the meaning of Empaako naming system to delegates attending the 13^th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, organized by UNESCO and hosted by the Government of the Republic of Mauritius.

The two cultural practitioners were explaining the meaning of Empaako naming system to delegates at the sidelines of the UNESCO global meeting.

Zebidayo Mwesige (Kaserebe Mukwikwi), a folklore artist and Stephen Mugabo (Kijegere), a ritual guide were explaining the meaning of Empaako naming ritual at the sidelines of the UNESCO’s 13^th session.

Stephen Rwagweri and Kijegere

The head of Engabu Za Tooro delegation, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki who is attending the UNESCO meeting and will later present a technical report on Empaako safeguarding project. As head of Engabu Za  Tooro, Stephen Rwagweri is allowed to attend the global UNESCO meeting because Engabu Za Tooro is an accredited organization which provides advisory services to UNESCO (ICH Convention).

Engabu Za Tooro cultural practitioners will also performing Uganda’s Empaako naming ritual at the side events of the UNESCO’s 13^th session in Mauritius.

The one week UNESCO global meeting is taking place at Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVCC) in Port Louis in the Republic of Mauritius from 26^th November to 1^st December 2018.

Currently, Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform) is implementing a UNESCO co-funded project UGA 01210 aimed at revitalizing ceremonies and practices associated with Empaako naming system in Uganda among the communities of the Batooro, Banyoro, Batuku, Batagwenda and Banyabindi of Western Uganda.

EZT delegation to Mauritius

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.

However, the Empaako naming practice is facing threats of extinction mostly due to decline of its mother language (Runyoro - Rutooro), modernization, abandoning our traditional rituals, weakening cultural institutions especially at clan and family levels and attack from modern religious extremist denominations.

More on the UNESCO international meeting in Mauritius follow the links;

http://engabuzatooro.blogspot.com/2018/11/mukwikwi-kaserebe-and-kijegere-have_26.html

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/head-engabu-za-tooro-delegation-stephen-rwagweri-atwoki-departs-mauritius-unescos-global-meeting/

http://engabuzatooro.blogspot.com/2018/11/kijegere-and-kaserebe-mukwikwi-heading.html

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-cultural-practitioners-hold-goodbye-show-fort-portal-departing-mauritius/

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-offers-travel-sponsorship-two-cultural-practitioners-attend-unesco-international-meeting-mauritius-showcase-empaako-rituals/

Mukwikwi Kaserebe and Kijegere have safely arrived in Mauritius, received by the head of Engabu ZaTooro delegation to the Mauritius UNESCO global meeting

Mukwikwi and Kijegere arriving

Engabu Za Tooro cultural practitioners have safely arrived in Mauritius for the UNESCO global conference. They arrivedin the evening at 18:20hrs aboard a Kenya Airways plane (KQ270) and were received by the head of Engabu Za Tooro delegation to UNESCO’s global meeting Mr. Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki.

While in Mauritius they will be staying in the luxurious Port Louis City Bay area which is an affluent area frequented by foreign tourists including the wealthy royals and business people from the Arab countries, America, China and Europe because of its beauty and state of the art five star hotels.

Mauritius is a middle income Indian Ocean island African nation famous for its beaches, lagoons and reefs. The Mountainous interior include Black River Gorges National Park, with rainforests, waterfalls, hiking trails and wildlife like the flying fox.

Stephen Rwagweri at the UNESCO global meeting 

The Capital of Mauritius is called Port Louis which has sites such as the Champs de Mars horse track, Eureka plantation house and the 18^th century Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens.

Kaserebe Mukwikwi and Kijegere have already started attracting attention at the Bay area and Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVCC) because of their traditional dressing.

Throughout the UNESCO’s 13^th session Zebidayo Mwesige (KaserebeMukwikwi), a folk dancer and Stephen Mugabo (Kijegere), a ritual guide will be performing Uganda’s Empaako naming ritual at the side events.

EZT delegation

The one week UNESCO global meeting will take place at Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVCC) in Port Louis in the Republic of Mauritius from 26^th November to 1^st December 2018.

Currently, Engabu Za Tooro is implementing a UNESCO co-funded project UGA 01210 which is on documentation and revitalization of Empaako naming rituals and practices.

This also involves promoting this heritage, not only among its communities but also in international cultural frame works like the Mauritius UNESCO global meeting.

More on the UNESCO international meeting in Mauritius follow the links;

http://engabuzatooro.blogspot.com/2018/11/mukwikwi-kaserebe-and-kijegere-have.html

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/head-engabu-za-tooro-delegation-stephen-rwagweri-atwoki-departs-mauritius-unescos-global-meeting/

http://engabuzatooro.blogspot.com/2018/11/kijegere-and-kaserebe-mukwikwi-heading.html

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-cultural-practitioners-hold-goodbye-show-fort-portal-departing-mauritius/

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-offers-travel-sponsorship-two-cultural-practitioners-attend-unesco-international-meeting-mauritius-showcase-empaako-rituals/

Mukwikwi Kaserebe and Kijegere have departed from Entebbe International Airport to Mauritius

Kijegere & Mukwikwi at Entebbe Airport

Engabu Za Tooro cultural practitioners have departed to Mauritius for the UNESCO global conference. They departed in the morning at 10:50hrs aboard a Kenya Airways plane (KQ421) and will be arriving in Mauritius in the evening at 18:20hrs.

They were escorted to Entebbe International Airport by Journalists from the vision group, people from the Empaako community, friends and family members

While in Mauritius they will be received by the head of Engabu Za Tooro delegation to the 13^th UNESCO global meeting, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki.

Kijegere and Mukwikwi boarding the plane

Mauritius is an island country in the Indian Ocean famous for its beautiful climate, beaches, food and Hotels. The country which heavily depends on tourism and fishing is an Indian Ocean paradise.

Zebidayo Mwesige (Kaserebe Mukwikwi), a folk dancer and Stephen Mugabo (Kijegere), a ritual guide will be performing Uganda’s Empaako naming ritual at the side events of the UNESCO’s 13^th session in Mauritius.

The one week UNESCO global meeting will take place at Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVCC) in Port Louis in the Republic of Mauritius from 26^th November to 1^st December 2018.

Currently, Engabu Za Tooro is implementing a UNESCO co-funded project UGA 01210 which is on documentation and revitalization of Empaako naming rituals and practices.

EZT delegation to Mauritius

This also involves promoting this heritage, not only among its communities but also in international cultural frame works like the Mauritius UNESCO global meeting.

More on the UNESCO international meeting in Mauritius follow the links;

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/head-engabu-za-tooro-delegation-stephen-rwagweri-atwoki-departs-mauritius-unescos-global-meeting/

http://engabuzatooro.blogspot.com/2018/11/kijegere-and-kaserebe-mukwikwi-heading.html

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-cultural-practitioners-hold-goodbye-show-fort-portal-departing-mauritius/

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-offers-travel-sponsorship-two-cultural-practitioners-attend-unesco-international-meeting-mauritius-showcase-empaako-rituals/

The head of Engabu Za Tooro delegation, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki departs to Mauritius for UNESCO’s global meeting

EZT delegation

The head of the Engabu Za Tooro delegation has today Saturday, 24^th November 2018 boarded a flight to Mauritius a day earlier to prepare to receive the two EngabuZaTooro cultural practitioners, who will be departing to Mauritius tomorrow Sunday, 25^th November, 2018.

Zebidayo Mwesige (Kaserebe Mukwikwi), a folk dancer and Stephen Mugabo (Kijegere), a ritual guide will be performing Uganda’s Empaako naming ritual at the side events of the UNESCO’s 13^th session in Mauritius.

The Head of Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform for Action) delegation Mr. Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki will present a technical report on Empaako safeguarding project in Mauritius.

Mukwikwi

The one week UNESCO global meeting will take place at Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVCC) in Port Louis in the Republic of Mauritius from 26^th November to 1^st December 2018.

The 13^thsession of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, organized by UNESCO and hosted by the Government of the Republic of Mauritius has attracted hundreds of people across the world.

Kaserebe Mukwikwi and Kijegere at the New Vision Offices

The UNESCO global conference will be attended by ministers of culture from all over the world, UNESCO ambassadors, culture experts, artists and funding bodies in the field of arts and culture among others.

Currently Engabu Za Tooro is implementing a UNESCO co-funded Project UGA 01210 which is on documentation and revitalization of Empaako naming rituals and practices.

This also involves promoting this heritage, not only among its communities but also in international cultural frame works like the Mauritius UNESCO global meeting.

More on the UNESCO international meeting in Mauritius follow the links;

http://engabuzatooro.blogspot.com/2018/11/kijegere-and-kaserebe-mukwikwi-heading.html

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-cultural-practitioners-hold-goodbye-show-fort-portal-departing-mauritius/, http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-offers-travel-sponsorship-two-cultural-practitioners-attend-unesco-international-meeting-mauritius-showcase-empaako-rituals/

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-offers-travel-sponsorship-two-cultural-practitioners-attend-unesco-international-meeting-mauritius-showcase-empaako-rituals/,   http://engabuzatooro.blogspot.com/2018/11/engabu-za-tooro-offers-travel.html

Kijegere and Kaserebe Mukwikwi heading to Entebbe International Airport to board a flight to Port Louis, Mauritius for a UNESCO global conference (25th November – 1st December, 2018)

Mukwikwi pondering about the journey to Mauritius

Kaserebe Mukwikwi, a folk dancer and Kijegere, a ritual guide will be performing Uganda’s Empaako naming ritual at the side events of the UNESCO’s 13^th session in Mauritius.

Kijegere and Mukwikwi 

When they land in Mauritius, they will be treated as diplomats and will be travelling with lead cars and security convoys everywhere they go because they are Engabu Za Tooro delegates to an international UNESCO meeting.

Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform) is accredited to provide advisory services to UNESCO (ICH Convention).

Currently EngabuZaTooro is implementing a UNESCO co-funded Project UGA 01210 which is on documentation and revitalization of Empaako naming rituals and practices.

Mukwikwi heading to Entebbe for a flight to Mauritius

This also involves promoting this heritage, not only among its communities but also in international cultural frame works.

More on the UNESCO international meeting in Mauritius follow the links; http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-cultural-practitioners-hold-goodbye-show-fort-portal-departing-mauritius/, http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-offers-travel-sponsorship-two-cultural-practitioners-attend-unesco-international-meeting-mauritius-showcase-empaako-rituals/

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-offers-travel-sponsorship-two-cultural-practitioners-attend-unesco-international-meeting-mauritius-showcase-empaako-rituals/,   http://engabuzatooro.blogspot.com/2018/11/engabu-za-tooro-offers-travel.html