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