A new book published focusing on the results of a UNESCO co-funded Empaako safeguarding project

Basaliza Rusoke contributing to Tutemu Engaro

Engabu Za Tooro has published a new book focusing on the achievements of a two year UNESCO co-funded Empaako safeguarding project which aims at enhancing the communities’ capacity to document for safeguarding their intangible cultural heritage particularly Empaako naming ceremonies and the associated folklore expressions.

The Empaako safeguarding project also aims at mobilizing practitioners and clan institutions for revitalization of performance of Empaako naming ceremonies and associated folklore expressions and to raise awareness of the communities and stakeholders for the appreciation and integration of intangible cultural heritage particularly Empaako naming ceremonies and associated folklore expressions.

The major threats to ICH which are addressed by the program are loss of knowledge and information of cultural rituals, ceremonies and folklore expressions a result of being undocumented and hence relegated in modern information and education infrastructure and abandoning the performance of cultural expression and ceremonies including naming rituals as a result of loss of confidence and enthusiasm in culture generated by pressure from advancing modern religions and educational institutions which are not sensitized to appreciate and integrate cultural values.

Tutemu Engaro contributions book

The results realized during the implementation of the project are the capacity of communities to document for safeguarding their intangible cultural heritage strengthened through developing methodological guide books, network of trainers, community based documenters and establishing relevant equipment.

Empaako naming ceremonies of five communities with their associated folklore expressions comprehensively documented in text, audiovisual and photography forms and the knowledge and information reclaimed and broadly availed to the communities.

Practitioners and custodians of Empaako naming ceremonies and the associated folklore expression mobilized for revitalization of performance of ceremonies and folklore and awareness of the value of Empaako naming ceremonies and the associated folklore expressions and intangible cultural heritage in general raised for appreciation and promotion, through mobilization training and massive dissemination activities.

The new book appeals to Empaako communities to contribute to the Tutemu Engaro Self-Help Cultural Fund to sustainably safeguard heritage threatened with extinction like Empaako and Koogere Oral Traditions.

To download the Book, click HERE

Engabu Za Tooro recognizes the work of the Late L.T Rubongoya, two members of his family offered invitations to attend a UNESCO global meeting

The family of L.T Rubongoya

Engabu Za Tooro has recognized the work of the Late L.T Rubongoya in safeguarding and promoting Tooro culture especially Tooro language. Two members of his family have been supported to attend a UNESCO global meeting to be held on 9^th to 14^th December, 2019 in Bogota, Columbia – South America.

The two members of the Late L.T Rubongoya family who were given an invitation from UNESCO to enable them use the UNESCO global meeting to showcase the work of the Late L.T Rubongoya to the world. The invitations were presented to them by Engabu Za Tooro Board Chairperson Msgr. Peter Kumaraki Araali on Saturday, 16^th November, 2019 at the home of the late L.T Rubongoya in Kigwengwe Vilage, Karambi Sub County – Kabarole district.

In the global UNESCO meeting, delegates from across the world will stand for a minute and raise their country’s flags to recognize the work of the Late L.T Rubongoya in safeguarding Tooro culture and language.   

During the same UNESCO global meeting, Engabu Za Tooro will submit a final report and audio – visual materials on the implementation of a UNESCO co-funded Empaako project aimed at documenting and revitalizing Empaako naming rituals and practices among the five communities of the Batooro, Banyoro, Batagwenda, Banyabindi and Batuku.

The works of the Late Dr. L.T Rubongoya publications, Tutemu Engaro contributions book will also be submitted to UNESCO which will allow them to be showcased at the UNESCO exhibition centre for five days.

Engabu Za Tooro Board members

According to the Executive Director Engabu Za Tooro and CIOFF Uganda President Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki, members of the Late L.T Rubongoya were supported to attend the UNESCO global meeting in Bogota so as to encourage them continue with the work of Late L.T Rubongoya.

The invitation letters to attend a UNESCO global meeting given to the family of the Late L.T Rubongoya was also aimed at encouraging people from Empaako communities to safeguard and revitalize their culture through community self-documentation.

The late Dr. L. T. Rubongoya Atwoki published many books in Runyoro – Rutooro like Runyoro – Rutooro english dictionary (Katondogorozi), Naaho Nubo book (The ways of our ancestors), Modern Runyoro Rutooro Grammar, Linda Engeso n’orulimi rw’Ihanga, Kibbaate Kya Kaseegu, Yega kusoma n’okuhandiika Orunyoro-Rutooro Omulingo ogundi and Scripted countless folk plays among others.

The 14^th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, organized by UNESCO and hosted by the Government of the Republic of Columbia will attract hundreds of people across the world who will include ministers of culture from all over the world, UNESCO ambassadors, culture experts, artists and funding bodies in the field of arts and culture among others.

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.