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| Rwagweri and Mukwikwi entering the convention center |
Engabu
Za Tooro cultural practitioners explained the meaning of Empaako naming system
to delegates attending the 13th 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 13th session.
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| 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 13th 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 26th November to 1st 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;
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