Folk art, folk dance and folk music showcased at the global folklore event at Koi Koi Cultural Center in Fort Portal, attended by thousands from across Uganda

International delegates (in-front) at the function

Uganda communities especially from the Banyoro, Batooro, Batagwenda, Bakhonzo, Bamba/Babwisi, Batuku, Basongora, Banyabindi and Bagungu among others today showcased their Folkart, folk dance and folk music at Koi Koi Cultural Center in Fort Portal.

The function which was attended by thousands of people from across Uganda also included the President CIOFF Africa Prince Isaac YAMEKUE from Cameroon and Bozoa Gervais Cebeye, the delegate of the festival committee on CIOFF Africa from Ivory Coast.

Engabu Za Tooro was selected by the International Council of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF) to host a global event on folklore in Uganda.

The global event is aimed at hosting CIOFF Africa leaders, showcasing and filming representative Uganda’s folklore heritage and installing Uganda’s CIOFF Associate status towards establishment of CIOFF Uganda Section.

A folklore group from the Abamba community performing

The function which was also attended by Engabu Za Tooro Executive Director, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki, Engabu Za Tooro Board Chairperson Msgr. Peter Kumaraki Araali, Fort Portal Municipality Member of Parliament Hon. Alex Ruhunda Akiiki and Tooro Culture resource elder Rev. Richard Baguma Adyeri started today (22^nd June, 2019) at 10:00am is expected to end at 10:00pm.  

Tomorrow (23^rd June 2019 starting at 10:00am) at Gardens restaurant in Fort Portal – Uganda CIOFF Uganda will officially be installed as an Associate Status by CIOFF Africa president and CIOFF Uganda Interim President will be officially sworn in. At Garden’s Restaurant, Children and students will pay an entrance of UGX 1,000 and adults will pay UGX 3,000.

A folk art exhibition

Engabu Za Tooro 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).

Currently, the organization is co-funded by UNESCO (Intangible Heritage Fund) and local contributions to revitalize and safeguard the practice of the Empaako naming system through community self-documentation.

Hashtag: #CIOFFUgFestival