A masterpiece book on ceremonies and practices associated with Empaako naming system in Uganda

Book on Empaako ceremonies and practices

A book presenting a comprehensive documentation inform of text, photography and transcription of Empaako naming ceremonies and rituals has been published. The book presents the social-cultural functions and meanings of Empaako practice in daily life of five bearer communities.

Produced in thousands of copies in Runyoro – Rutooro language with an English translation, the book is published online at http://empaako.org/ and is being distributed to community libraries, culture centers and schools and is being adapted to formal and informal education especially on culture, functional adult literacy and language.

The book was edited by Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki who is the current Executive Director of Engabu Za Tooro. The organisation is currently implementing a UNESCO co-funded project aimed at safeguarding and revitalizing Empaako naming system among the Batooro, Banyoro, Banyabindi, Batuku and Batagwenda and has published many books.

In addition to a book, a thirty minute video production on Empaako naming ceremonies and rituals for each of the five bearer communities has been recorded and produced in Runyoro – Rutooro language with English subtitling. These audio-visual productions are published online at http://empaako.org/, distributed to schools and libraries and adapted to multimedia formats for dissemination through different audiences and social media platforms.

Empaako naming ritual among the Batuku community

At least four folklore master items have also been recorded and produced for each of the ten communities from the greater Western Uganda (Banyoro, Batooro, Batuku, Bakonzo, Bamba, Banyankole, Bakiga, Bagungu, Basongora and Banyabindi).

The produced folk films are published online at http://empaako.org/ and adapted to Television programmes and the CDs distributed by folklore groups to schools, community centers and tourist centers.  

The masterpiece Empaako book, Empaako video productions and folk films have all been researched on, documented and published with support from UNESCO and Tutemu Engaro Self-Help Cultural Fund.

You can get a copy of the book, Empaako video productions and folk films at Engabu Za Tooro main offices located on Plot 18, Kaija Road, Kabundaire, Fort Portal – Uganda or contact the office on +256 (0) 483 422 187, +256 (0) 772 469 751 or Email: info@engabuzatooro.or.ug, engabuzatooro@gmail.com. To know more about Engabu Za Tooro visit our websites: http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/, http://www.empaako.org/

Video of Empaako naming ceremony among the Banyabindi community