Engabu Za Tooro cultural practitioners hold a goodbye show in Fort Portal before departing to Mauritius

People who attended the show

Two Engabu Za Tooro cultural practitioners on Sunday, 18^th November 2018 held a final goodbye show at KoiKoi Cultural Centre in Fort Portal before departing to Port Louis, Mauritius.

The one week UNESCO global meeting which 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 will be attended by Stephen Mugabo Abbooki (Kijegere) who is a folk dancer (good at traditional Runyege dance) and Zebidayo Mwesige Abbooki (Kaserebe Mukwikwi) who is a ritual guide and drama performer.

The two cultural practitioners will be performing Uganda’s Empaako naming ritual at the side events of the UNESCO sessions.

The Head of Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform for Action) delegation Mr. Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki will be responsible for the technical report on Empaako safeguarding project which is on the agenda in the same global UNESCO meeting.

EZT Cultural Troupe performing 

The show which attracted hundreds of people included folklore performances, demonstrating Empaako naming ritual, Ekyoto and traditional runyenge dances by Engabu Za Tooro Cultural Troupe.

People who attended the show also contributed more than half a million shillings for the trip and items to the two cultural practitioners like traditional performance attires which will be used to showcase Tooro heritage in Mauritius.

While speaking at the show, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki appealed for people to support their heritage through performing their rituals like the Empaako naming ritual, strengthen their clans and strengthen their Runyoro – Rutoorolanguage.

EZT Delegation to Mauritius

Rwagweri Atwoki adds, “next year more cultural practitioners will be going to exhibit our heritage and perform our traditional rituals abroad.”

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.