Empaako naming system explained to delegates attending the UNESCO global meeting in Mauritius

Rwagweri and Mukwikwi entering the convention center

Engabu Za Tooro cultural practitioners explained the meaning of Empaako naming system to delegates attending the 13^th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, organized by UNESCO and hosted by the Government of the Republic of Mauritius.

The two cultural practitioners were explaining the meaning of Empaako naming system to delegates at the sidelines of the UNESCO global meeting.

Zebidayo Mwesige (Kaserebe Mukwikwi), a folklore artist and Stephen Mugabo (Kijegere), a ritual guide were explaining the meaning of Empaako naming ritual at the sidelines of the UNESCO’s 13^th session.

Stephen Rwagweri and Kijegere

The head of Engabu Za Tooro delegation, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki who is attending the UNESCO meeting and will later present a technical report on Empaako safeguarding project. As head of Engabu Za  Tooro, Stephen Rwagweri is allowed to attend the global UNESCO meeting because Engabu Za Tooro is an accredited organization which provides advisory services to UNESCO (ICH Convention).

Engabu Za Tooro cultural practitioners will also performing Uganda’s Empaako naming ritual at the side events of the UNESCO’s 13^th session in Mauritius.

The one week UNESCO global meeting is taking place at Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVCC) in Port Louis in the Republic of Mauritius from 26^th November to 1^st December 2018.

Currently, Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform) is implementing a UNESCO co-funded project UGA 01210 aimed at revitalizing ceremonies and practices associated with Empaako naming system in Uganda among the communities of the Batooro, Banyoro, Batuku, Batagwenda and Banyabindi of Western Uganda.

EZT delegation to Mauritius

The 12 Empaako’s are Okaali which is reserved for a king, Acaali, Bbala, Apuuli and Araali which are only reserved for men and finally, Abbooki, Adyeri, Abwoli, Akiiki, Amooti, Ateenyi and Atwoki for both men and women.

However, the Empaako naming practice is facing threats of extinction mostly due to decline of its mother language (Runyoro - Rutooro), modernization, abandoning our traditional rituals, weakening cultural institutions especially at clan and family levels and attack from modern religious extremist denominations.

More on the UNESCO international meeting in Mauritius follow the links;

http://engabuzatooro.blogspot.com/2018/11/mukwikwi-kaserebe-and-kijegere-have_26.html

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/head-engabu-za-tooro-delegation-stephen-rwagweri-atwoki-departs-mauritius-unescos-global-meeting/

http://engabuzatooro.blogspot.com/2018/11/kijegere-and-kaserebe-mukwikwi-heading.html

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-cultural-practitioners-hold-goodbye-show-fort-portal-departing-mauritius/

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-offers-travel-sponsorship-two-cultural-practitioners-attend-unesco-international-meeting-mauritius-showcase-empaako-rituals/

Mukwikwi Kaserebe and Kijegere have safely arrived in Mauritius, received by the head of Engabu ZaTooro delegation to the Mauritius UNESCO global meeting

Mukwikwi and Kijegere arriving

Engabu Za Tooro cultural practitioners have safely arrived in Mauritius for the UNESCO global conference. They arrivedin the evening at 18:20hrs aboard a Kenya Airways plane (KQ270) and were received by the head of Engabu Za Tooro delegation to UNESCO’s global meeting Mr. Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki.

While in Mauritius they will be staying in the luxurious Port Louis City Bay area which is an affluent area frequented by foreign tourists including the wealthy royals and business people from the Arab countries, America, China and Europe because of its beauty and state of the art five star hotels.

Mauritius is a middle income Indian Ocean island African nation famous for its beaches, lagoons and reefs. The Mountainous interior include Black River Gorges National Park, with rainforests, waterfalls, hiking trails and wildlife like the flying fox.

Stephen Rwagweri at the UNESCO global meeting 

The Capital of Mauritius is called Port Louis which has sites such as the Champs de Mars horse track, Eureka plantation house and the 18^th century Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens.

Kaserebe Mukwikwi and Kijegere have already started attracting attention at the Bay area and Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVCC) because of their traditional dressing.

Throughout the UNESCO’s 13^th session Zebidayo Mwesige (KaserebeMukwikwi), a folk dancer and Stephen Mugabo (Kijegere), a ritual guide will be performing Uganda’s Empaako naming ritual at the side events.

EZT delegation

The one week UNESCO global meeting will take place at Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVCC) in Port Louis in the Republic of Mauritius from 26^th November to 1^st December 2018.

Currently, Engabu Za Tooro is implementing a UNESCO co-funded project UGA 01210 which is on documentation and revitalization of Empaako naming rituals and practices.

This also involves promoting this heritage, not only among its communities but also in international cultural frame works like the Mauritius UNESCO global meeting.

More on the UNESCO international meeting in Mauritius follow the links;

http://engabuzatooro.blogspot.com/2018/11/mukwikwi-kaserebe-and-kijegere-have.html

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/head-engabu-za-tooro-delegation-stephen-rwagweri-atwoki-departs-mauritius-unescos-global-meeting/

http://engabuzatooro.blogspot.com/2018/11/kijegere-and-kaserebe-mukwikwi-heading.html

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-cultural-practitioners-hold-goodbye-show-fort-portal-departing-mauritius/

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-offers-travel-sponsorship-two-cultural-practitioners-attend-unesco-international-meeting-mauritius-showcase-empaako-rituals/

Mukwikwi Kaserebe and Kijegere have departed from Entebbe International Airport to Mauritius

Kijegere & Mukwikwi at Entebbe Airport

Engabu Za Tooro cultural practitioners have departed to Mauritius for the UNESCO global conference. They departed in the morning at 10:50hrs aboard a Kenya Airways plane (KQ421) and will be arriving in Mauritius in the evening at 18:20hrs.

They were escorted to Entebbe International Airport by Journalists from the vision group, people from the Empaako community, friends and family members

While in Mauritius they will be received by the head of Engabu Za Tooro delegation to the 13^th UNESCO global meeting, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki.

Kijegere and Mukwikwi boarding the plane

Mauritius is an island country in the Indian Ocean famous for its beautiful climate, beaches, food and Hotels. The country which heavily depends on tourism and fishing is an Indian Ocean paradise.

Zebidayo Mwesige (Kaserebe Mukwikwi), a folk dancer and Stephen Mugabo (Kijegere), a ritual guide will be performing Uganda’s Empaako naming ritual at the side events of the UNESCO’s 13^th session in Mauritius.

The one week UNESCO global meeting will take place at Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVCC) in Port Louis in the Republic of Mauritius from 26^th November to 1^st December 2018.

Currently, Engabu Za Tooro is implementing a UNESCO co-funded project UGA 01210 which is on documentation and revitalization of Empaako naming rituals and practices.

EZT delegation to Mauritius

This also involves promoting this heritage, not only among its communities but also in international cultural frame works like the Mauritius UNESCO global meeting.

More on the UNESCO international meeting in Mauritius follow the links;

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/head-engabu-za-tooro-delegation-stephen-rwagweri-atwoki-departs-mauritius-unescos-global-meeting/

http://engabuzatooro.blogspot.com/2018/11/kijegere-and-kaserebe-mukwikwi-heading.html

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-cultural-practitioners-hold-goodbye-show-fort-portal-departing-mauritius/

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-offers-travel-sponsorship-two-cultural-practitioners-attend-unesco-international-meeting-mauritius-showcase-empaako-rituals/

The head of Engabu Za Tooro delegation, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki departs to Mauritius for UNESCO’s global meeting

EZT delegation

The head of the Engabu Za Tooro delegation has today Saturday, 24^th November 2018 boarded a flight to Mauritius a day earlier to prepare to receive the two EngabuZaTooro cultural practitioners, who will be departing to Mauritius tomorrow Sunday, 25^th November, 2018.

Zebidayo Mwesige (Kaserebe Mukwikwi), a folk dancer and Stephen Mugabo (Kijegere), a ritual guide will be performing Uganda’s Empaako naming ritual at the side events of the UNESCO’s 13^th session in Mauritius.

The Head of Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform for Action) delegation Mr. Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki will present a technical report on Empaako safeguarding project in Mauritius.

Mukwikwi

The one week UNESCO global meeting will take place at Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVCC) in Port Louis in the Republic of Mauritius from 26^th November to 1^st December 2018.

The 13^thsession of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, organized by UNESCO and hosted by the Government of the Republic of Mauritius has attracted hundreds of people across the world.

Kaserebe Mukwikwi and Kijegere at the New Vision Offices

The UNESCO global conference will be attended by ministers of culture from all over the world, UNESCO ambassadors, culture experts, artists and funding bodies in the field of arts and culture among others.

Currently Engabu Za Tooro is implementing a UNESCO co-funded Project UGA 01210 which is on documentation and revitalization of Empaako naming rituals and practices.

This also involves promoting this heritage, not only among its communities but also in international cultural frame works like the Mauritius UNESCO global meeting.

More on the UNESCO international meeting in Mauritius follow the links;

http://engabuzatooro.blogspot.com/2018/11/kijegere-and-kaserebe-mukwikwi-heading.html

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-cultural-practitioners-hold-goodbye-show-fort-portal-departing-mauritius/, http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-offers-travel-sponsorship-two-cultural-practitioners-attend-unesco-international-meeting-mauritius-showcase-empaako-rituals/

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-offers-travel-sponsorship-two-cultural-practitioners-attend-unesco-international-meeting-mauritius-showcase-empaako-rituals/,   http://engabuzatooro.blogspot.com/2018/11/engabu-za-tooro-offers-travel.html

Kijegere and Kaserebe Mukwikwi heading to Entebbe International Airport to board a flight to Port Louis, Mauritius for a UNESCO global conference (25th November – 1st December, 2018)

Mukwikwi pondering about the journey to Mauritius

Kaserebe Mukwikwi, a folk dancer and Kijegere, a ritual guide will be performing Uganda’s Empaako naming ritual at the side events of the UNESCO’s 13^th session in Mauritius.

Kijegere and Mukwikwi 

When they land in Mauritius, they will be treated as diplomats and will be travelling with lead cars and security convoys everywhere they go because they are Engabu Za Tooro delegates to an international UNESCO meeting.

Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform) is accredited to provide advisory services to UNESCO (ICH Convention).

Currently EngabuZaTooro is implementing a UNESCO co-funded Project UGA 01210 which is on documentation and revitalization of Empaako naming rituals and practices.

Mukwikwi heading to Entebbe for a flight to Mauritius

This also involves promoting this heritage, not only among its communities but also in international cultural frame works.

More on the UNESCO international meeting in Mauritius follow the links; http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-cultural-practitioners-hold-goodbye-show-fort-portal-departing-mauritius/, http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-offers-travel-sponsorship-two-cultural-practitioners-attend-unesco-international-meeting-mauritius-showcase-empaako-rituals/

http://engabuzatooro.or.ug/engabu-za-tooro-offers-travel-sponsorship-two-cultural-practitioners-attend-unesco-international-meeting-mauritius-showcase-empaako-rituals/,   http://engabuzatooro.blogspot.com/2018/11/engabu-za-tooro-offers-travel.html

Engabu Za Tooro cultural practitioners hold a goodbye show in Fort Portal before departing to Mauritius

People who attended the show

Two Engabu Za Tooro cultural practitioners on Sunday, 18^th November 2018 held a final goodbye show at KoiKoi Cultural Centre in Fort Portal before departing to Port Louis, Mauritius.

The one week UNESCO global meeting which will take place at Swami Vivekananda International Convention Centre (SVCC) in Port Louis in the Republic of Mauritius from 26^th November to 1^st December 2018 will be attended by Stephen Mugabo Abbooki (Kijegere) who is a folk dancer (good at traditional Runyege dance) and Zebidayo Mwesige Abbooki (Kaserebe Mukwikwi) who is a ritual guide and drama performer.

The two cultural practitioners will be performing Uganda’s Empaako naming ritual at the side events of the UNESCO sessions.

The Head of Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform for Action) delegation Mr. Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki will be responsible for the technical report on Empaako safeguarding project which is on the agenda in the same global UNESCO meeting.

EZT Cultural Troupe performing 

The show which attracted hundreds of people included folklore performances, demonstrating Empaako naming ritual, Ekyoto and traditional runyenge dances by Engabu Za Tooro Cultural Troupe.

People who attended the show also contributed more than half a million shillings for the trip and items to the two cultural practitioners like traditional performance attires which will be used to showcase Tooro heritage in Mauritius.

While speaking at the show, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki appealed for people to support their heritage through performing their rituals like the Empaako naming ritual, strengthen their clans and strengthen their Runyoro – Rutoorolanguage.

EZT Delegation to Mauritius

Rwagweri Atwoki adds, “next year more cultural practitioners will be going to exhibit our heritage and perform our traditional rituals abroad.”

Currently Engabu Za Tooro is implementing a UNESCO co-funded Project UGA 01210 which is on documentation and revitalization of Empaako naming rituals and practices. This also involves promoting this heritage, not only among its communities but also in international cultural frame works.

Workshop report for Training of Trainers

TOT Workshop report

The  two weeks training of training of trainers workshop was held at Fort Breeze Hotel in Fort Portal – Uganda. To Download the full pdf report click  here on DOWNLOAD