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.