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| People having a traditional meal after Empaako naming |
The
two Engabu Za Tooro cultural practitioners Zebidayo Mwesige Abbooki (Kaserebe Mukwikwi)
and Stephen Mugabo Abbooki (Kijegere) ritual guides performed Empaako naming
ritual to ten people in a function organized at the residence of Entebbe
Municipality legislator Hon. Rosemary Tumusiime Atwoki at her residence in
Entebbe Municipality.
The
ten people who received Empaako’s included people from the communities of Batooro,
Banyoro, Baganda and Banyankole staying in Entebbe and Kampala who had lost
touch with their traditions because of modernization.
The
Empaako naming function which took place yesterday Wednesday 6th
December, 2018 was attended by over fifty people especially from Entebbe and
Kampala cities.
During
the function, a traditional meal was prepared and the two Engabu Za Tooro
cultural practitioners were appreciated for promoting Empaako intangible
heritage not only in Uganda but also in outside countries like Mauritius.
The
Entebbe Municipality legislator who organized the function appreciated Engabu Za
Tooro for promoting Empaako heritage and Kitara culture because culture is an
important component of development.
“Culture
is important because it helps to identify people and is an important component
in development because it can be used tomobilize people for development.
Traditional music, traditional clothing, traditional meals and arts and crafts
can be used to earn money hence reducing the high unemployment rates especially
among young people in Uganda” Said Hon. Tumusiime Atwoki while speaking during
the Empaako naming function in Entebbe.
The
Empaako naming function was attended by Engabu Za Tooro Executive Director who
is also a UNESCO expert on culture, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki.
Mukwikwi
and Kijegere who are currently living in Entebbe and Kampala cities to showcase
Empaako naming rituals among Empaako communities in the two cities and
preparing for their performance at KoKoi Cultural Centre in Fort Portal,
arrived on 2nd December, 2018 after attending a one week UNESCO
global meeting in Mauritius.
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| Some of the people who were given Empaako names |
The
two Engabu Za Tooro cultural performers will be officially welcomed in Fort
Portal on Sunday 9th December 2018 which will end with a performance
at KoKoi Cultural Center, Fort Portal.
During
the one week UNESCO global meeting that took place at Swami Vivekananda
International Convention Centre (SVCC) in Port Louis in the Republic of
Mauritius from 26th November to 1st December 2018, the
two Engabu Z aTooro cultural practitioners showcased Uganda culture to the
world especially the Empaako naming ritual.
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.
Empaako
naming practice is facing threats of extinction mostly due to decline of its
mother languages (Runyoro - Rutooro), modernization, abandoning the performance
of traditional rituals like Empaako naming ritual, weakening cultural
institutions especially at clan and family levels and attack from modern
religious denominations.
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| Hon. Rosemary Tumusiime Atwoki speaking at the function |
The
UNESCO co-funded Empaako safeguarding and revitalization project is implemented
among the five communities of the Batooro, Banyoro, Batuku, Batagwenda and
Banyabindi of Western Uganda
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.
Empaako practice is
transmitted through a naming ceremony which has several rituals that have
slight variations depending on the community. The meaning and interpretations
of the rituals are linked to the value systems of Empaako communities.
More on
the UNESCO international meeting in
Mauritius follow the links;
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