Delegation from DR Congo visits Engabu Za Tooro, requests to be added on UNESCO’s Empaako inscription

Group photo at Engabu Za Tooro

A delegation from Engabu Za Mboga, DR Congo today 9^th April, 2019 visited Engabu Za Tooro offices in Fort Portal and requested to be added on UNESCO’s Empaako inscription so that their Empaako heritage can be safeguarded for generations.

Officially, Engabu Za Tooro inscribed Empaako in 2013 on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and Empaako inscription petition was endorsed by five communities who are the Batooro, Banyoro, Batagwenda, Batuku and Banyabindi.

The three man delegation led by Rev. Canon. Balinda Kandole Tito Adyeri also included Kiiza Kagwahabi Faustin Akiiki and Stephen Baleemu Balyebuga requested to be added on UNESCO’s inscription list because people from Mboga have Empaako, speak almost the same language as Runyoro – Rutooro and their cultures are almost related to Banyoro and Batooro cultures.

“Mboga community with a current population of 280,000 people broke away from the Great Bunyoro – Kitara empire in 1573 during the Bacwezi dynasty, they speak a language called Runyamboga and the cultural rituals like Empaako naming rituals are almost similar or related to Banyoro – Batooro cultural rituals” Said Rev. Canon. Balinda Kandole Tito Adyeri

Rev. Canon. Balinda Kandole Tito Adyeri adds, “Mboga community have the same clans like the clans of Banyoro – Batooro and most of them are involved in crop farming and cattle keeping as their main economic activity just like Bunyoro and Tooro.

DR Congo delegation (three in middle)

According to Rev. Canon. Balinda Kandole Tito Adyeri, in DR Congo apart from Banyamboga community, other DR Congo communities which use Empaako naming system are Abanyamitego community in Mitego Kingdom, Abagengere community in Bunia, people of Sota,  people of Chomia and people of Kasenyi.

Engabu Za Tooro Executive Director, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki accepted to add DR Congo communities on UNESCO’s Empaako Inscription list if the communities are ready to get free, prior and informed consent from the relevant cultural and government institutions like Kingdoms, clans, districts and provinces, culture resource people, opinion leaders and NGOs implementing culture related projects.

“DR Congo Empaako communities are also supposed to prepare to get an endorsement from a Permanent Secretary of a relevant ministry of Culture so that the current Empaako file is reviewed to include Basongora and Banyaruguru of Uganda and an international file is officially prepared and submitted to UNESCO for Empaako inscription.” Said Rwagweri

A researcher from DR Congo will be recruited by Engabu Za Tooro to assist in facilitating the Empaako inscription exercise.

Inscription of DR Congo Empaako communities and Uganda communities not on the current project like Basongora and Banyaruguru on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding will assist the communities have their Empaako heritage documented, preserved and safeguarded for generations.

Doors will also be opened for added communities to directly benefit from UNESCO support to develop programs aimed at safeguarding and revitalizing practices and ceremonies associated with Empaako naming system.

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.