Engabu Za Tooro awards personalities who have been consistently supporting its activities

Group photo of Engabu Za Tooro AGM members

Engabu Za Tooro Annual General Meeting which took place today 31^st March, 2019 at Engabu Za Tooro main offices at Kabundaire, Fort Portal has passed a resolution to award personalities who have consistently supported Engabu Za Tooro activities like inscription of Empaako and Koogere oral traditions to UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

The people going to be awarded are Kabaganda Imelda Balinda, Isaaya Kalya Atwoki, Joseph Byaruhanga Akiiki, Mukwano Ssenyonjo, Moses Kigambo Araali, Clovis Makune, Msgr. Peter Kumaraki Araali, Dan Rubombora, Yosamu Rubombora Ntanywine, Sanyu Vincent, Peter Makune, Nyamabuga Self-Help Orphans project, Sylvia Karungi, Sebastiano Kagaba, Mugabo Stephen and Mwesige Zebidayo.

Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki speaking at the AGM 2019

The list was generated by Engabu Za Tooro staff, recommended by Engabu Za Tooro Board of Directors meeting held on Saturday, 30^th March, 2019 and approved by Engabu Za Tooro Annual General Meeting on 31^st March, 2019.

The Annual General Meeting attended by over 100 people from Tooro, Bunyoro, Butuku, Busongora and Kampala also passed resolutions to allow Engabu Za Tooro host an International Conference in Fort Portal in partnership with The International Council of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF) slated for May 31^st to June 3^rd, 2019.

Widow of late L.T Rubongoya contributing to the Tutemu Engaro Fund

Engabu Za Tooro Annual General Meeting also agreed to support writers of books on Runyoro – Rutooro language publish their books and the support will begin with “Naho Nuho Book” written by late L.T Rubongoya, take atleast two people to UNESCO global meetings annually like cultural artists, presenters of cultural programmes on radio and online bloggers on culture.

Lastly, Engabu Za Tooro Annual General Meeting officially launched the Tutemu Engaro Campaign and began by massively contributing both in cash and in-kind for the safeguarding of their very own intangible cultural heritage threatened with extinction like Empaako and Koogere Oral Traditions.

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.

Engabu Za Tooro Annual Report 2018: Board Chairperson’s statement with a theme “Development is a collective Value, pursued through Collective Efforts.”

Engabu Za Tooro Board Chairperson, Msgr. Peter Kumaraki Araali

Dear members, stakeholders and entire fraternity of Engabu Za Tooro, I present to you the 2018 statement of the Board of Directors. As the fourth board, this was the first year in our four years term of office and the second year of implementation of a five year strategic plan where our minds and efforts are directed.

As a Board, we are elected by the membership and entrusted with the responsibility to guide the institution and inspire the stakeholders towards pursuance of the mission which is the very reason of our existence as an organization.

Engabu Za Tooro Cultural Troupe performing

In the year 2018, we did guide the institution through our statutory meetings and the many activities where we participated as members of the board individually, and in some cases, collectively as a board. We officiated workshops, launching of products, commissioning action teams, etc. All these are a manifestation that, Engabu Za Tooro in the year under review, was a reality and present in the communities, tackling the social problems that form the target of our action and purpose. We had a year of action and indeed a year of hard work.

We thank the action teams led by Executive Director as head of business who worked very hard to realize the results as shown in the annual report. On important note, we thank our partners especially UNESCO who contributed technical and financial resources that enabled our work in 2018 and all other stakeholders for all other forms of support that energize us to push forward.

As it is said in my vernacular “Basiimwa Bwongerwa” literally meaning “As you thank for what has been received you also request for more”. The task is still ahead and the mission is still alive.

A participant receiving a certificate after the training

We extend an appeal to development partners to join and finance different areas of our programme, especially on piloted approach of adapting cultural values, expressions and practices to supporting promotion of good practices of sustainable development agenda.

We hope you will all find this report stimulating and inviting. God Bless you all, God Bless Engabu Za Tooro.

Msgr. Peter Kumaraki Chairperson, Board of Directors

Full download of Engabu Za Tooro Annual Report 2018

Engabu Za Tooro trains representatives from Empaako communities to use Empaako online platform

Group photo of the participants

Representatives from Empaako communities of Batooro, Banyoro, Batagwenda, Batuku, Banyabindi and Basongora have been trained to engage with Empaako online platform. The one day training held on 29^th March, 2019 at Engabu Za Tooro offices in Fort Portal Uganda was aimed at building an online Empaako community.

The training facilitated by an ICT expert Businge Gerald of Ultimate Media Consult was also aimed at encouraging Empaako communities use online Empaako platform to create a one stop center of information access and sharing for Empaako people from across the world, use online Empaako platforms as a social network for Empaako people to interact.

Screenshot of empaako platform

Empaako communities will also be empowered to develop free or affordable websites to Empaako people, use Empaako online platforms as a database of all Empaako people, use Empaako platform as a hub of Empaako communities, use Empaako platform for online teaching and learning of Runyoro-Rutooro Language and Culture and sell Empaako products for instance books, music, artwork and clothing among others.

After the training, participants were able to create online Empaako groups, online Empaako forums, conduct online courses on culture and create free Empaako websites for individuals or institutions implementing culture related projects.

Empaako is naming system whereby in addition to a family and given name, a child is given a special name called Empaako selected from a fixed and closed list of 12 (twelve) Empaako names shared by the entire society and used as a declaration of respect, endearment or affection.

Participants engaging the facilitator

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.

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

To access the website, click on http://www.empaako.org/

Engabu Za Tooro to hold a Board of Directors and an Annual General Meeting at the end of this month

EZT previous AGM

Engabu Za Tooro will hold the Board of Directors and Annual General Meetings slated for 30^th and 31^st March, 2019 respectively at Engabu Za Tooro offices located on Plot 18 Kaija Road, Kabundaire in Fort Portal Uganda.

According to Engabu Za Tooro Executive Director Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki, both meetings are aimed at coming with strategic directions for the institution in-terms of fundraising, membership and programming.

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) starting at 10:00am will attract individuals or groups associated with Engabu Za Tooro, members of Engabu Za Tooro Cultural Troupe and Brass Band, ritual leaders and culture resource people.

The organisation is accredited to provide advisory services to UNESCO (ICH Convention) and accredited as an observer of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

EZT current Board of Directors

Currently, the organization is funded by UNESCO (Intangible Heritage Fund) and local contributions to revitalize and safeguard the practice of the Empaako naming system through community self-documentation among the five communities of the Banyoro, Batooro, Batuku, Batagwenda and Banyabindi in Western Uganda so that their capacities can be enhanced to transmit knowledge, and skills to successive generations and mobilise practitioners to revive the practice.

Bunyoro Kingdom awards Engabu Za Tooro for safeguarding and revitalizing Kitara Heritage

Prince Mugenyi Fred giving an award certificate to Engabu Za Tooro

The head of the Ababiito clan (Okwiri in Bunyoro or Omusuga in Tooro Culture) in Bunyoro kingdom Prince Mugenyi Fred has awarded Engabu Za Tooro for safeguarding and revitalizing Kitara heritage which is threatened with extinction like Empaako naming system.

Prince Mugenyi advised people in Kitara region to desist from engaging in senseless fights which blocks international support aimed at safeguarding Kitara heritage, “many people never wanted Engabu Za Tooro to be accredited to UNESCO by using Bunyoro kingdom to block Engabu Za Tooro UNESCO accreditation but I resisted it.”

“By blocking Engabu Za Tooro UNESCO accreditation, it would have blocked funds to support the safeguarding and revitalization of Empaako heritage which is threatened with extinction because some religious groups are attacking Empaako heritage and there is reduced performance of Empaako naming rituals.” Said Prince Mugenyi

While speaking at the closing of the  2nd five days residential capacity building workshop at Crown Hotel in Kijungu, Hoima town Prince Mugenyi further appealed to people from Kitara region to revitalize the performance of their traditional rituals like burial, Empaako naming, installation of heir and marriage rituals which are increasingly being taken over by religion.

A participant from Bunyoro receiving the award

The workshop which started on Sunday 3^rdMarch – and ended on Friday 8^th March 2019 attracted over 32 participants from Empaako communities of Banyoro, Batooro, Batagwenda, Banyabindi, Basongora and Batuku.

The workshop participants who mainly came from Bunyoro Sub – Region were mainly ritual leaders and guides, community based writers, folk performers and cultural resource people from Empaako communities.

Participants of the workshop were empowered with basic knowledge of documentation of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) beginning with Empaako naming system itself.

Engabu Za Tooro Executive Director Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki indicated that the meaning and origin of Empaako is not from Luo because some Empaako’s like Atwoki have absolutely no meaning in Luo and besides the Babiito Dynasty (Luo) came after the Bacwezi and Batembuzi dynasties who had Empaako for instance Koogere who was a Saaza chief of Bacwezi dynasty, her Empaako was Atwoki.

Rwagweri added, “The origin of Empaako is a mystery and the meaning of Empaako should not be criminalized by associating Empaako with evil because Empaako is a sign of respect, endearment, love and appreciation among others.”

Workshop participants

While facilitating the 2^nd capacity building workshop Rwagweri advised people from Empaako communities not to be blindfolded by the existing cultural institutions for instance kingdoms by surrendering the safeguarding of their heritage to existing cultural institutions.

“People who are doing a great job in safeguarding our heritage are not people in positions of authority because institutions with budgets like districts and kingdoms are doing nothing in safeguarding our heritage.” Said Rwagweri Atwoki.

Engabu Za Tooro is currently implementing a UNESCO co-funded project UGA 01210 on documentation and revitalization of ceremonies and practices associated with Empaako naming system in Uganda. 

Community documenters constitute a committee to popularize Empaako

Workshop participants

Participants attending the one week (3^rd – 8^th March, 2019) residential workshop at Crown Hotel, Hoima have formed a media committee to sustainably popularize Empaako safeguarding and revitalization in Bunyoro Sub Region. The committee was formed on 6^th March, 2019.

The media committee will mainly focus on using online media especially social media and mainstream media to target young people and the general population in Bunyoro sub region. In addition, the media committee will enhance engagement between Empaako ritual leaders and communities where Empaako is threatened with extinction.

The Committee which will be headed by Kiiza Wilson of Bugungu Heritage and information centre and coordinated by Bamuha Allan of Empagi Za Bunyoro also includes journalists from Radio Hoima, Spice FM and Liberty FM.

The Executive Director of Engabu Za Tooro, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki while guiding on the operations of the committee appealed to committee members to work tirelessly in popularizing their very own Empaako heritage.

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.

Media Committee members

The 5 days residential second capacity building workshop mainly attended by ritual leaders and guides, community based writers, folk performers and cultural resources people mainly from Bunyoro sub region is aimed at giving practitioners of Empaako naming system the rationale and basic knowledge of documentation of intangible cultural heritage beginning with Empaako.

The workshop has also attracted book writers, creative writers, videographers, professional photographers, visual artists, sculptors, song writers, composers, poets, ritual leaders, herbalists, presenters of cultural programs on electronic media, vernacular teachers and translators among others.

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

Empaako is naming system whereby in addition to a family and given name, a child is given a special name called Empaako selected from a fixed and closed list of 12 (twelve) Empaako names shared by the entire society and used as a declaration of respect, endearment or affection.

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.

This practice has been shared and transmitted from generation to generation in Empaako communities of Batooro, Banyoro, Banyabindi, Basongora, Batuku, Batagwenda, Banyaruguru, Bagungu, Ba Nya Mboga and Baziba located in Western Uganda, Eastern DR Congo and Northern Tanzania respectively.

Empaako safeguarding boss appeals for community self-help contributions in safeguarding heritage

Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki facilitating

The technical head of the UNESCO co-funded Empaako safeguarding and revitalization project Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki has appealed to Empaako communities to contribute in safeguarding Empaako heritage for it to be sustainably safeguarded from extinction.

“Culture can only be sustainably safeguarded through an independent mind and independent means because a beggar has no culture to safeguard and we can’t depend on external support to safeguard our very own Empaako heritage” Said Rwagweri Atwoki while facilitating at the five days residential capacity building workshop at Crown Hotel in Hoima on 5^th March, 2019.

Ntoroko district local government has included culture in their district budget and plans to promote their very own heritage. Engabu Za Tooro has also started a campaign called Tutemu Engaro to encourage Empaako communities take responsibility in safeguarding their own culture.

Participants of the capacity building workshop mainly attended by participants from Bunyoro Sub Region formed three committees which are the media committee, performing groups committee and Tutemu Engaro committee to mobilize Empaako communities safeguard their heritage threatened with extinction.

During the workshop Stephen Alinaitwe who is the Empaako project coordinator explained the meaning of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the UNESCO 2003 Convention on ICH. Culture expert Rukahemura Robert explained the domains of ICH, Empaako coordinator Bunyoro region Bamuha Allan explained ICH safeguarding measures.

Kabalega Cultural Troupe performing

Workshop participants also learnt about documentation which was explained by Empaako safeguarding and revitalization among the Banyabindi community in Kasese district. Data collection and documentation equipment handling was explained to workshop participants by the head of ICH documentation unit Julius Isingoma Amooti.

During the workshop, participants were entertained by Kabalega Royal Troupe, folklore artist Mukwikwi Kaserebe, Master Kalenzi popularly known for his Busongora bwa Koogere song and Engabu Za Tooro Cultural Troupe.

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.

“There is nothing evil in Empaako.” Vice Chairperson Hoima district

Hon. Fred Kakoraki speaking

The Vice Chairperson Hoima district, Hon. Fred Kakoraki has indicated that there is nothing evil in Empaako naming system as assumed by some religious denominations in Uganda, “What’s evil in our culture, what’s evil in performing our Empaako naming rituals. Religious denominations perform rituals while giving names to their believers like celebrating with a meal and it has never been evil.”

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.

Hon. Kakoraki while speaking at the official opening ceremony of the second capacity building workshop organized by Engabu Za Tooro at Crown Hotel in Hoima town on 4^th March, 2019 added, “Even the whites who came yesterday ‘criminalized’ our ancestral names by demoting them to second names and ensuring that African ‘whitish’ names are always the first names. 

Group photo of the participants at Crown Hotel, Hoima

The Executive Director Engabu Za Tooro, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki appealed to people from Empaako communities to focus on safeguarding Empaako heritage through documentation, performance of Empaako naming rituals and community self – help contributions.

Rwagweri Atwoki particularly appreciated Ntoroko district local government for including culture in their district budget and plans to promote their very own heritage.

The senior program officer, Culture at the Uganda Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development Hajjat Nalubega emphasized the need for people to promote their culture because it’s a source of income, unites people and identify’s people.

While speaking at the opening ceremony, the program officer Uganda National Commission for UNESCO Mr. Daniel Kaweesa said, “If we don’t document and archive, our heritage will be lost not only in our generation but even the generations to come.”

The 5 days residential second capacity building workshop mainly attended by ritual leaders and guides, community based writers, folk performers and cultural resources people mainly from Bunyoro sub region is aimed at giving practitioners of Empaako naming system the rationale and basic knowledge of documentation of intangible cultural heritage beginning with Empaako.

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.