Engabu Za Tooro Executive Director Appeals to Empaako communities to mainstream culture in local government planning and budgeting processes for it to be sustainably be safeguarded and revitalized

Stephen Rwagweri making a presentation

The Executive Director of Engabu Za Tooro cultural Organisation, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki has appealed to members of Empaako communities to mainstream culture especially Empaako naming system in local government planning and budgeting processes in order for Empaako to be sustainably be safeguarded and revitalized from one generation to another.

While speaking at the Engabu Za Tooro organized event which is facilitated by Engabu Za Tooro and co-funded by UNESCO, Stephen Rwagweri indicated that for Empaako to be sustainably be safeguarded, there is need for Empaako community members from the Empaako local governments to mainstream culture in local government planning and budgeting processes.

The function which was attended by dozens of people including among others cultural practitioners from Empaako communities also included the district Speaker from the newly created Bunyangabu district Mr. Ikagobya Stephen Araali, representatives from the five Empaako communities of Batooro, Banyoro, Batuku, Basongora, Batagwenda and Banyabindi.

Rwagweri who indicated that, “culture is beyond the forces of demand and supply shouldn’t be commercialized but be entrusted to public entities which are not profit oriented like how it is done in France, China, Belgium and UK”

The one week residential Empaako capacity building workshop to be held from 16th – 21st December, 2018 at Fort Breeze Hotel located in Kabarole district aims at empowering Empaako Empaako bearers to document their own heritage.

During the meeting, the participants were entertained by cultural artists like Master Kalenzi who is popularly known for his songs such as the Obunyamahunde, Busongora bwa Koogere, Garuka, Kodiiro, Nkitungire, Tutaahe, Tutemu Engaro, Ekitahandikire, Endangamuntu, Omuzaire and Engeso among others.

Nkwenge George William performing

Other cultural musicians included DJ Levi popularly known for his songs like Tutemu Engaro, Ebyaitu nibikorwa mukama and omugisha gwomuntu, Kahwa Kansengerwa, Kijegere and Nkwenge George William popularly known for his Engoma Nyabahuma, Kuzinirra ente and folklore was attended by members of Empaako community members including the cultural head of the Basongora community Omukama Kasagama II.

After the one week workshop, 30 practitioners of Empaako naming system will be equipped with the basic knowledge of their intangible cultural heritage, 30 Empaako practitioners will also be sufficiently prepared to document their own practices of Empaako naming system, an interview guide for collecting data on Empaako naming system will be developed and adopted and a scrip for video production of Empaako naming ceremonies will be developed and adopted.

Workshop participants

Data collection teams in documentation of Empaako naming system will be constituted and commissioned, a network of ICH documenters will be established and commissioned, a practical guide to community self-documentation of intangible cultural heritage will be launched and two focus group discussions will have generated data on the whole interview guide on Empaako naming system during the one week residential workshop.

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