Shared heritage and shared responsibility to safeguard it; contribute to the fund for revitalization of endangered heritage in the Empaako communities

Tuteemu engaro brochure

Clans from Empaako communities (Batooro, Banyoro, Batuku, Banyabindi and Batagwenda) have rekindled the ancestral spirit of solidarity to mobilise collective energies and self-help resources to revitalize their endangered heritage including language, rituals and folk expressions which form their living heritage and cultural identity.

Shared and transmitted from generation to generation, Empaako practice represents the value system, entire living heritage and identity of the bearer communities.

Mobilised and technically facilitated by Engabu Za Tooro NGO, Empaako communities in 2012 successfully petitioned UNESCO and it inscribed Empaako culture and Koogere oral expressions of the legendary Kitara region on the world list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding. The UNESCO inscription was thus, making an international statement that basing on researched information contained in the nomination dossier, the viability of the heritage is threatened and the bearer communities are determined and prepared to mobilise their own resources to revitalize their heritage and inviting any external complementary support.

Tutemu Engaro Basket

Consequently in 2018, UNESCO offered a co-funding contract for project No. UGA 01210 where communities have to contribute 20 percent. It was signed and guaranteed by the facilitating agency – Engabu Za Tooro and ratified by clan leaders. The overall 5 years safeguarding programme will revitalize rituals, broadly document and publish on rituals, dance and folk expressions, develop language and create cultural professional through training, practice and scholarship scheme. In this effort, Tutemu Engaro self-help cultural fund has been established to pool and consolidate community self-help contributions towards the programme. 

Contributions book

To participate and contribute, contact the office and trusteesthrough the contacts provided below and download the brochure for detailed information.

Engabu Z aTooro (Tooro Youth Platform for Action), Plot 18, Kaija Road, Kabundaire P.O Box 886, Fort Portal – Uganda. Office Tel: +256 (0) 483 422 187 Mob: +256 (0) 772 469 751 Emails: info@engabuzatooro.or.ug and engabuzatooro@gmail.com Web: www.engabuzatooro.or.ug

More, follow the link http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/shared-heritage-shared-responsibility-safeguard-contribute-fund-revitalization-endangered-heritage-empaako-communities/