Engabu Za Tooro procures state of the art equipment for documentation of culture

EZT board chairperson speaking at the event

Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform for Action) has imported state of the art equipment to be used by the local communities in Western Uganda to document their culture especially cultural elements which are threatened with extinction like the Empaako and Koogere intangible oral traditions so that they can be safeguarded for generations.

The state of the art equipment which were unveiled at the Uganda National Cultural Center, Kampala, Uganda on Saturday, 28^th July 2018 included among others the latest 4k Sony Camera PXW series, latest sound facilities and the apple editing suite with latest film industry applications.

The unveiling of the state of the art equipments was witnessed by hundreds of people who included the Patron of Engabu Za Tooro Prof. Oswald Ndoleriire, Engabu Za Tooro Board Chairperson Mr. George Mwebembezi, the senior cultural officer of Uganda Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development Hajat Nalubega Hajara, the Executive Director of Engabu Za Tooro Mr. Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki, journalists from Uganda media institutions, staff of Engabu Za Tooro Documentation Unit, cultural enthusiasts and experts among others.

Ntege Patrick demonstrating how to use the equipment

While speaking at the equipment unveiling event, the senior consultant of Global technology international Mr. Ntege Patrick Mugerwa whose international firm spearheaded the procuring of the equipment indicated that all the procured equipment are of high quality capable of performing even in noisy locations, are designed for high performance productions like movies, documentaries and fitted with the latest sound facilities.

“We are ready to proceed with comprehensive documentation of ceremonies and practices of Empaako communities from Bunyoro through Tooro, Busongora to Bunyaruguru, from Kitagwenda through Butuku to Mboga Zaire,” Said the Executive Director, Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform for Action) Mr. Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki while speaking at the equipment unveiling event. 

Rwagweri further appealed to clans in the Empaako communities not to lose steam in enhancing their energies of human resilience through their own community initiated “Tutemu Engaro Fund” losely translated as ‘Lets join hands’ to raise the 20 percent community contributions needed for the safeguarding of their very own cultural heritage threatened with extinction like Empaako and Koogere oral tradition.

The Uganda National Cultural Centre where the equipment were unveiled

Engabu Za Tooro head adds, “if you lose energy in safeguarding your very own culture through community contributions, atleast revoke your ancestral spirits of solidarity so that at least ten (10) community members can be supported to pursue university degrees in Runyoro-Rutooro language as self-help contribution to the overall 5 years programme that will lead to declaring Empaako heritage as threat free and fully integrated in contemporary development paradigm.”

The Empaako intangible cultural heritage which include Okaali, Araali, Ateenyi, Abwoli, Acaali, Bbala, Akiiki, Atwoki, Adyeri, Abbooki, Abwoli and Amooti which have been shared by the entire society and transmitted from generation to generation signify respect, love, affection, human dignity and affirmation of the shared principle of humanity.

The fixed and closed list of 12 magic names, singularly and collectively called Empaako are threatened by loss of associated knowledge, abandoning naming rituals, declining growth of its contextual language-Runyooro/Rutooro and attack from contemporary religious extremists. 

Based on the above threats, an indigenous cultural NGO Engabu Za Tooro researched about the practice and mobilized concerned communities which in 2013 successfully petitioned UNESCO to inscribe the heritage on the world list.

Currently UNESCO has contributed 80% to co-fund a two years project aimed at comprehensive documentation of ceremonies and practices of Empaako communities and revitalization of observance of naming rituals. The remaining 20 percent will be contributed by the local Empaako communities.