International delegates heaps praises on Uganda Folklore, promise to support Uganda folklore group’s showcase their folklore to the world

International delegates arriving at the folklore festival

International Delegates attending the global event on folklore have heaped praises on Uganda folklore groups for being authentic, “Uganda folk art, folk dance and folk music is authentic.” Said President CIOFF Africa Prince Isaac YAMEKUE from Cameroon while speaking yesterday Sunday, 22^nd June 2019 at Koi Koi Cultural Center in Fort Portal – Uganda.

Uganda communities who showcased their Folkart, folk dance and folk music at Koi Koi Cultural Centre in Fort Portal were the Banyoro, Batooro, Batagwenda, Bakhonzo, Bamba/Babwisi, Batuku, Basongora, Banyankole, Banyabindi and Bagungu.

While speaking at the same function, Bozoa Gervais Cebeye, the delegate of the festival committee on CIOFF Africa from Ivory Coast added, “You have one of the best folklore groups in Africa and the performances were great and we promise to support you to showcase your folklore to the world.”

Bozoa Gervais Cebeye is responsible for selecting African folklore groups at CIOFF to showcase their folk art, folk dance and folk music around the world. CIOFF folklore groups which are selected are fully funded with air tickets, international visas and all other related costs.   

Engabu Za Tooro was selected by the International Council of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF) to host a global event on folklore in Uganda.

Kachaina of TV West performing Ankole folklore at the festival

CIOFF maintains formal consultative relationships with UNESCO and develops projects of common interest. In the past CIOFF followed the preparation of the Recommendation on the safeguarding of traditional culture and folklore; more recently it got involved in the implementation of the Convention on the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. CIOFF also promotes various actions in favour of cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue or culture of peace through the implementation of specific biennial programmes or the organization of meetings, workshops and cultural conferences.

The global event is aimed at hosting CIOFF Africa leaders, showcasing and filming representative Uganda’s folklore heritage and installing Uganda’s CIOFF Associate status towards establishment of CIOFF Uganda Section.

The Executive Director Engabu Za Tooro, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki indicated, “CIOFF Folklore Network is a great opportunity in opening up Africa to improve its folklore. CIOFF is also a great opportunity in showcasing Uganda’s folklore to the international arena.”  

CIOFF Uganda has already been invited to send a folklore group to perform at the World Festival Parade Brunssum in the Netherlands from 10^th - 15^th July, 2020.

A folk art exhibition

Today ( Sunday, 23^rd June 2019 starting at 10:00am) at Gardens restaurant in Fort Portal – Uganda CIOFF Uganda will officially be installed as an Associate Status by CIOFF Africa president and CIOFF Uganda Interim President will be officially sworn in. At Garden’s Restaurant, Children and students will pay an entrance of UGX 1,000 and adults will pay UGX 3,000.

Engabu Za Tooro is accredited to provide advisory services to UNESCO (ICH Convention) and accredited as an observer of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Currently, the organization is co-funded by UNESCO (Intangible Heritage Fund) and local contributions to revitalize and safeguard the practice of the Empaako naming system through community self-documentation.

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