Fort Portal MP flags off UNESCO delegates

Members of Rubongoya family being flagged off

The MP Fort Portal Municipality, Hon. Alex Ruhunda on Friday, 6^th December, 2019 flagged off delegates going to attend a UNESCO global meeting to be held on 9^th to 14^th December, 2019 in Bogota, Columbia – South America. Hon. Ruhunda flagged off the delegates with a Uganda flag and encouraged them to make Uganda proud by showcasing Uganda culture to the world.

The delegates who were flagged off in Kampala are the two members of the Late L.T Rubongoya family who are Deo Katekere Rubongoya and Sylivia Catherine Nyangoma

Engabu Za Tooro recognized the work of the Late L.T Rubongoya in safeguarding and promoting Tooro culture especially Tooro language and supported two members of his family to attend a UNESCO global meeting in Bogota, Columbia so as to encourage them continue with the work of Late L.T Rubongoya.

The late Dr. L. T. Rubongoya Atwoki published many books in Runyoro – Rutooro like Runyoro – Rutooro english dictionary (Katondogorozi), Naaho Nubo book (The ways of our ancestors), Modern Runyoro Rutooro Grammar, Linda Engeso n’orulimi rw’Ihanga, Kibbaate Kya Kaseegu, Yega kusoma n’okuhandiika Orunyoro-Rutooro Omulingo ogundi and Scripted countless folk plays among others.

In the global UNESCO meeting, delegates from across the world will stand for a minute and raise their country’s flags to recognize the work of the Late L.T Rubongoya in safeguarding Tooro culture and language.   

Rungoya family being handed a Uganda flag at a recent event in Fort Portal

The works of the Late Dr. L.T Rubongoya publications, Tutemu Engaro contributions book will also be submitted to UNESCO which will allow them to be showcased at the UNESCO exhibition centre for five days.

Executive Director Engabu Za Tooro and CIOFF Uganda President Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki will also be attending the UNESCO global meeting to submit a final report and audio – visual materials on the implementation of a UNESCO co-funded Empaako project aimed at documenting and revitalizing Empaako naming rituals and practices among the five communities

The 14^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 Columbia will attract hundreds of people across the world who will include 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.

African Folklore performed live at an Engabu Za Tooro event in Fort Portal - Uganda

L.T Rubongoya family receiving the national flag

Engabu Za Tooro has held a live performance of African Folklore at Koi Koi Cultural Centre in Fort Portal – Uganda which was aimed at using traditional African folklore to safeguard and revitalize African heritage especially those threatened with extinction like Empaako and Koogere Intangible Oral Traditions and indigenous languages.

During the same event, Empaako book titled “Ceremonies and practices associated with Empaako naming system” was officially launched by Engabu Za Tooro Executive Director Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki who is also the President of CIOFF Uganda appealed to Empaako communities to embrace the Tutemu Engaro Self-Help Cultural Fund to sustainably safeguard heritage threatened with extinction.

Rwagweri adds, “In the empaako naming ceremony films, the Batuku community showcased the best in terms of the traditional wear, preparing traditional meals, performance of Empaako naming rituals and traditional shelter.” 

Tutemu Engaro Self-Help Cultural Fund tools were also launched by Engabu Za Tooro Board Chairperson Msgr. Peter Kumaraki Araali. The tools were the Tutemu Engaro contributions book and Tutemu Engaro Basket where individuals and communities contributed to Tutemu Engaro.

Laurence Kawamara contributing to Tutemu Engaro

Some of the individuals, families, clans and communities who contributed to the Tutemu Engaro are Omugurusi Epafura Mugasa, Kawamara Laurence contributing UGX 200,000 for the Abagweri clan, Abachaaki clan, Bingi Fred of Runyoro – Rutooro Foundation, Abazira clan, Abasingo clan, Abaitira clan, Abasumbi clan, Akaracwa Omuhoro women’s cultural group, Abanyabindi community and Abatuku community among others.

The event which was attended by hundreds of people from across Empaako communities also exhibited cultural materials and books like traditional tools used in the Empaako naming ceremony and books on culture and books written in the languages of Empaako communities like Naaho Nubo and Katondogorozi among others which were written and published by the Late L.T Rubongoya Atwoki. 

The delegation which will represent Empaako communities to attend the UNESCO global meeting in Bogota in the Republic of Columbia – South America from 9^th to 14^th December, 2019 was also commissioned who are Engabu Za Tooro Executive Director, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki and two representatives from the family of the Late L.T Rubongoya Atwoki who are Rubongoya Deo Katekere and Ms. Sylivia Catherine Nyangoma. 

Master Kalenzi performing African Folklore

While speaking at the event, the heir to the late L.T Rubongoya, Mr. Rubongoya Deo Katekere thanked Engabu Za Tooro for giving the Rubongoya family an opportunity to showcase the work of the late L.T Rubongoya to the world.

African folklore was performed by Engabu Za Tooro Cultural Troupe, the family of late L.T Rubongoya, Master Kalenzi from the Basongora community, Abatuku cultural troupe, Abanyabindi cultural troupe, Emango Cultural Troupe and Kahwa Kansengerwa.

Engabu Za Tooro is currently implementing a UNESCO co-funded project aimed at revitalizing and safeguarding the practice of the Empaako naming system through community self-documentation.

A new book published focusing on the results of a UNESCO co-funded Empaako safeguarding project

Basaliza Rusoke contributing to Tutemu Engaro

Engabu Za Tooro has published a new book focusing on the achievements of a two year UNESCO co-funded Empaako safeguarding project which aims at enhancing the communities’ capacity to document for safeguarding their intangible cultural heritage particularly Empaako naming ceremonies and the associated folklore expressions.

The Empaako safeguarding project also aims at mobilizing practitioners and clan institutions for revitalization of performance of Empaako naming ceremonies and associated folklore expressions and to raise awareness of the communities and stakeholders for the appreciation and integration of intangible cultural heritage particularly Empaako naming ceremonies and associated folklore expressions.

The major threats to ICH which are addressed by the program are loss of knowledge and information of cultural rituals, ceremonies and folklore expressions a result of being undocumented and hence relegated in modern information and education infrastructure and abandoning the performance of cultural expression and ceremonies including naming rituals as a result of loss of confidence and enthusiasm in culture generated by pressure from advancing modern religions and educational institutions which are not sensitized to appreciate and integrate cultural values.

Tutemu Engaro contributions book

The results realized during the implementation of the project are the capacity of communities to document for safeguarding their intangible cultural heritage strengthened through developing methodological guide books, network of trainers, community based documenters and establishing relevant equipment.

Empaako naming ceremonies of five communities with their associated folklore expressions comprehensively documented in text, audiovisual and photography forms and the knowledge and information reclaimed and broadly availed to the communities.

Practitioners and custodians of Empaako naming ceremonies and the associated folklore expression mobilized for revitalization of performance of ceremonies and folklore and awareness of the value of Empaako naming ceremonies and the associated folklore expressions and intangible cultural heritage in general raised for appreciation and promotion, through mobilization training and massive dissemination activities.

The new book appeals to Empaako communities to contribute to the Tutemu Engaro Self-Help Cultural Fund to sustainably safeguard heritage threatened with extinction like Empaako and Koogere Oral Traditions.

To download the Book, click HERE

Engabu Za Tooro recognizes the work of the Late L.T Rubongoya, two members of his family offered invitations to attend a UNESCO global meeting

The family of L.T Rubongoya

Engabu Za Tooro has recognized the work of the Late L.T Rubongoya in safeguarding and promoting Tooro culture especially Tooro language. Two members of his family have been supported to attend a UNESCO global meeting to be held on 9^th to 14^th December, 2019 in Bogota, Columbia – South America.

The two members of the Late L.T Rubongoya family who were given an invitation from UNESCO to enable them use the UNESCO global meeting to showcase the work of the Late L.T Rubongoya to the world. The invitations were presented to them by Engabu Za Tooro Board Chairperson Msgr. Peter Kumaraki Araali on Saturday, 16^th November, 2019 at the home of the late L.T Rubongoya in Kigwengwe Vilage, Karambi Sub County – Kabarole district.

In the global UNESCO meeting, delegates from across the world will stand for a minute and raise their country’s flags to recognize the work of the Late L.T Rubongoya in safeguarding Tooro culture and language.   

During the same UNESCO global meeting, Engabu Za Tooro will submit a final report and audio – visual materials on the implementation of a UNESCO co-funded Empaako project aimed at documenting and revitalizing Empaako naming rituals and practices among the five communities of the Batooro, Banyoro, Batagwenda, Banyabindi and Batuku.

The works of the Late Dr. L.T Rubongoya publications, Tutemu Engaro contributions book will also be submitted to UNESCO which will allow them to be showcased at the UNESCO exhibition centre for five days.

Engabu Za Tooro Board members

According to the Executive Director Engabu Za Tooro and CIOFF Uganda President Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki, members of the Late L.T Rubongoya were supported to attend the UNESCO global meeting in Bogota so as to encourage them continue with the work of Late L.T Rubongoya.

The invitation letters to attend a UNESCO global meeting given to the family of the Late L.T Rubongoya was also aimed at encouraging people from Empaako communities to safeguard and revitalize their culture through community self-documentation.

The late Dr. L. T. Rubongoya Atwoki published many books in Runyoro – Rutooro like Runyoro – Rutooro english dictionary (Katondogorozi), Naaho Nubo book (The ways of our ancestors), Modern Runyoro Rutooro Grammar, Linda Engeso n’orulimi rw’Ihanga, Kibbaate Kya Kaseegu, Yega kusoma n’okuhandiika Orunyoro-Rutooro Omulingo ogundi and Scripted countless folk plays among others.

The 14^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 Columbia will attract hundreds of people across the world who will include 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.

Engabu Za Tooro attends the 6th IFFCD global meeting on culture in Lome, Togo

Stephen Rwagweri at the global meeting

Engabu Za Tooro attended the just ended global conference on Pan-African perspectives for the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions which was organized by the International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity (IFCCD) in the West African Country of Togo.

The  6th IFCCD Congress which was held on 9^th – 10^th October, 2019 at Hôtel école Lébénin, Lomé, Togo which was attended by hundreds of delegates from across the world aimed at discussing the implementation of the 2005 UNESCO Convention in the African, public policies for culture, civil society participation in public policy development, addressing the major challenges for the diversity of cultural expressions, discussing the challenges of civil society elsewhere in the world in safeguarding and revitalizing culture, discussing the new realities of the globalized market for the dissemination of digital cultural content and the challenges for cultural diversity on the internet and facing the challenges of the future through innovation.

 

Uganda was represented by Engabu Za Tooro Executive Director, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki who is currently spearheading a two year UNESCO co-funded project aimed at safeguarding and revitalizing the implementation of the documentation and revitalization of Empaako naming rituals and practices among the Banyoro, Batooro, Batuku, Banyabindi & Batagwenda communities of Western Uganda.

Some of the international delegates at the global meeting

Engabu Za Tooro Executive Director, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki who is also CIOFF Uganda president presented a case for Uganda discussing the protection of diversity of cultural expressions in Uganda to hundreds of international delegates from 78 countries of the world.  

During his presentation Rwagweri highlighted some of the issues affecting the growth of cultural sector in Africa like failure by governments to prioritise culture sector, inadequate funding and manipulation of artists to serve state interests which kills their talents. 

Some of the notable delegates at the 6^th IFCCD global meeting were West African ministers of culture, African Union commission, UNESCO, International Organisation of La Franchophonie and International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity.

The 6^th IFCCD global meeting was supported by the  International Organisation of La Francophonie,  the Union Économique et Monétaire Ouest Africaine (UEMOA), the Ministère de la  Culture et des Communications of the Government of Quebec, the French Coalition for Cultural Diversity, the Togolese Coalition for Cultural Diversity, the Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (Canada), the Government of Togo, the Government of Canada, the Délégation générale du Québec à Dakar, the National Commission of the Francophonie in Togo and the Austrian Coalition for Cultural Diversity.

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