Tutemu Engaro music video released, to assist in popularizing Tutemu Engaro campaign

Engabu Za Tooro’s ICH Documentation Unit has finally released a new Tutemu Engaro music video which Engabu Za Tooro Executive Director, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki says that it will assist in popularizing Tutemu Engaro campaign across the world.

Rwagweri Atwoki who also doubles as the CIOFF Uganda President adds, “Tutemu Engaro video will awaken people to realize that sustainable efforts to safeguard heritage threatened with extinction like Empaako, African folklore and Koogere Oral Traditions among others can only be achieved through a vigorous local self help contributions because foreign donors can never do something for you without you.”

Tutemu Engaro Self-Help Cultural Fund will be used to offer at least 10 university scholarships to students and teachers of the language to study Runyoro/Rutooro language and extend Empaako programme to Basongora, Banyaruguru and Banyambooga of DRC. The Tutemu Engaro fund will also be used to revitalize and safeguard Intangible African Oral Traditions and folklore threatened with extinction.

Contributing a cow to the Fund

The Self-Help Cultural Fund was launched on 23^rd June 2019 by Engabu Za Tooro Board of Directors led by Msgr. Peter Kumaraki Araali. A grand book of contributions is placed at Engabu Za Tooro offices and an individual, a family, clan, institution or organization can sign in by contributing not less than UGX 50,000.

Tutemu Engaro contributions book along with videos, books, visual art pieces and tangible items used in Empaako naming rituals will constitute historical symbols of Empaako UNESCO inscription and safeguarding programmes which will be archived in local and international museums.

So far, millions have been contributed by people from across the country like the family of Omugurusi Isaya Kalya, the family of Dr. L.T Rubongoya, Mr. Monday Christopher, Mrs Munkancwango Beatrice, Mr and Mrs Christopher Monday Kazini, Hon. Mutunzo Peace Regis (Minister of state for Gender, Labour and Social Development and also woman MP Bunyangabu district), Rev. Richard Baguma Adyeri, Owek. Mwesige Zebidayo, Mr. Ernest Kalege, Mr and Mrs Eustakiyo Tibyolekezo Abbooki Omwitira.

Tutemu Engaro contributions book

Fort Portal Municipality mayor Rev. Kintu Willy Muhanga Ateenyi, Omugurusi Basaliza Rusoke (Muzeyi Kijana), Ndahura II Kashagama cultural head of Busongora Cultural Institution, Kachaina Valentine Ateenyi, Ms. Mabiiho Winfred Baguma, Ms. Kagaba Vanice, Mary Tibamwenda, Mr. Eribankya Paul, Mr. Kagoro Peter, Mr. Richard Tooro, Msgr. Peter Kumaraki Araali and Mr. Kazooba Nyamuhanga have also contributed massively.

People can take their contributions at Engabu Za Tooro main offices located on Plot 18, Kaija Road, Kabundaire, Fort Portal – Uganda or contact the office on +256 (0) 772 469 751 or Email: engabuzatooro@gmail.com

A masterpiece book on ceremonies and practices associated with Empaako naming system in Uganda

Book on Empaako ceremonies and practices

A book presenting a comprehensive documentation inform of text, photography and transcription of Empaako naming ceremonies and rituals has been published. The book presents the social-cultural functions and meanings of Empaako practice in daily life of five bearer communities.

Produced in thousands of copies in Runyoro – Rutooro language with an English translation, the book is published online at http://empaako.org/ and is being distributed to community libraries, culture centers and schools and is being adapted to formal and informal education especially on culture, functional adult literacy and language.

The book was edited by Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki who is the current Executive Director of Engabu Za Tooro. The organisation is currently implementing a UNESCO co-funded project aimed at safeguarding and revitalizing Empaako naming system among the Batooro, Banyoro, Banyabindi, Batuku and Batagwenda and has published many books.

In addition to a book, a thirty minute video production on Empaako naming ceremonies and rituals for each of the five bearer communities has been recorded and produced in Runyoro – Rutooro language with English subtitling. These audio-visual productions are published online at http://empaako.org/, distributed to schools and libraries and adapted to multimedia formats for dissemination through different audiences and social media platforms.

Empaako naming ritual among the Batuku community

At least four folklore master items have also been recorded and produced for each of the ten communities from the greater Western Uganda (Banyoro, Batooro, Batuku, Bakonzo, Bamba, Banyankole, Bakiga, Bagungu, Basongora and Banyabindi).

The produced folk films are published online at http://empaako.org/ and adapted to Television programmes and the CDs distributed by folklore groups to schools, community centers and tourist centers.  

The masterpiece Empaako book, Empaako video productions and folk films have all been researched on, documented and published with support from UNESCO and Tutemu Engaro Self-Help Cultural Fund.

You can get a copy of the book, Empaako video productions and folk films at Engabu Za Tooro main offices located on Plot 18, Kaija Road, Kabundaire, Fort Portal – Uganda or contact the office on +256 (0) 483 422 187, +256 (0) 772 469 751 or Email: info@engabuzatooro.or.ug, engabuzatooro@gmail.com. To know more about Engabu Za Tooro visit our websites: http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/, http://www.empaako.org/

Video of Empaako naming ceremony among the Banyabindi community