The Government has endorsed a request by the Batooro to have the pet name tradition locally known as Empaako recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), as an intangible heritage.
Empaako is a local practice of giving a special name which is specifically used for greeting, praising, honoring and pleading for favor. It is shared by communities in Tooro, Bunyoro, Busongora, Butuku, Kitagwenda and Bunyaruguru.
Last month, clans in Tooro Kingdom requested UNESCO to recognize the Empaako tradition.
The need to recognize the tradition was initiated by Engabu Za Tooro (EZT), a cultural organization in the Rwenzori region. The organization was accredited by UNESCO during the 2003 convention on intangible cultural heritage.
The accreditation meant that EZT had the powers to help communities identify which traditional heritage they want safeguarded and recognized.
The document of endorsement, a copy of which URN has obtained, was signed by Christine Guwatudde Kintu, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender and Social Affairs.
In a telephone interview, Guwatudde said that the document will this week be submitted to the UNESCO headquarters in France. She says that the committee in-charge of intangible heritage at UNESCO will study the proposal for at least three months, before it’s accepted or rejected.
She also says that if the Empaako tradition is accepted, it will be listed among the important cultural intangible heritages in need of safe guarding. UNECSO will also provide funds for four years. According to Guwatudde, the funds are meant to implement the programme of safeguarding the tradition through activities such as sensitization.
The endorsement by the government comes after EZT collected views from several personalities, institutions and organizations in the kingdom on the need to recognize the Empaako, which is under threat. Views were collected from King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru, district councils and the 30 clans in the kingdom among others.
According to some of the views seen by Uganda Radio Network, once the tradition has been recognized, there should be sensitization about the value of the Empaako, and a cultural policy passed and the pet name attached to official names among others.
