Empaako
{{refimprove|date=May 2024}}
Naming system{{Short description|Naming system of Western Uganda}}
{{Infobox intangible heritage
| ICH = Empaako tradition of the Batooro, Banyoro, Batuku, Batagwenda and Banyabindi of western Uganda
| State Party = Uganda
| ID = 00904
| Region = AFR
| Year = 2013
| Session = 8th
| List = Need of Urgent Safeguarding
}}
Empaako ({{IPA|ttj|empáːko}}, {{IPA|nyo|empâːko}}, {{singular}}: empaako), also known as pet names or praise names, is a pet name which affirms one's social ties; it may be used as a greeting, a declaration of affection, respect, honour or love.{{Cite journal |last=Isingoma |first=Bebwa |date=December 2014 |title=Empaako 'Praise Names': An historical, sociolinguistic and pragmatic analysis. |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329810031 |journal=African Study Monographs}}{{Cite web |last=Forum |first=ICH NGO |date=2015-11-13 |title=The Empaako Traditional Naming Practice in Uganda |url=https://www.ichngoforum.org/heritage-alive-news/the-empaako-traditional-naming-practice-in-uganda/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=ICH NGO Forum |language=en-US}}{{Citation |last=von Weichs |first=Raphaela |title=“What Is Your Empaako?” Naming and Becoming a Munyoro in Western Uganda |date=2019 |work=Integrating Strangers in Society: Perspectives from Elsewhere |pages=165–184 |editor-last=Platenkamp |editor-first=Jos D. M. |url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-16703-5_10 |access-date=2025-02-24 |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-16703-5_10 |isbn=978-3-030-16703-5 |editor2-last=Schneider |editor2-first=Almut|url-access=subscription }}
Empaako is a naming system practiced among the Batooro, Banyoro, Batuku, Batagwenda, and Banyabindi peoples of Uganda by which children are given a name.{{Cite web |title=UNESCO - Empaako tradition of the Batooro, Banyoro, Batuku, Batagwenda and Banyabindi of western Uganda |url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/USL/empaako-tradition-of-the-batooro-banyoro-batuku-batagwenda-and-banyabindi-of-western-uganda-00904 |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=ich.unesco.org |language=en}} They were introduced after the Biito clan conquered the Empire of Kitara, and are nowadays used as a respectful and endearing way to refer to someone in conversation, separate from individual given names and surnames.{{Cite web |title=UNESCO - Empaako tradition of the Batooro, Banyoro, Batuku, Batagwenda and Banyabindi of western Uganda |url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/USL/empaako-tradition-of-the-batooro-banyoro-batuku-batagwenda-and-banyabindi-of-western-uganda-00904 |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=ich.unesco.org |language=en}} Empaako is included on the UNESCO list of intangible world heritage requiring emergency safeguarding.
Empaako names
The empaako names, twelve in number plus one intended for kings, are as follows:{{Cite book |last=Mwakikagile |first=Godfrey |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Lrflp8N3JQC&dq=empaako&pg=PA7 |title=The People of Uganda: A Social Perspective |publisher=New Africa Press |isbn=978-9987-16-033-4 |language=en}}{{Cite journal |last=Heusing |first=Gerald |date=2022 |title=Empaako, the Magic Word: A Special Form of Address Used in Western Uganda |url=https://epubs.ac.za/index.php/mm/article/view/1395 |journal=Multilingual Margins: A Journal of Multilingualism from the Periphery |language=en |volume=9 |issue=1 |doi=10.14426/mm.v9i1.1395 |issn=2663-4848|doi-access=free }}{{Cite book |url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ph_55nxVEXlJxa1ADQ-EjkKOdova6m1l/view|title=Ceremonies and Practices Associated with Empaako Naming System |publisher=Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform for Action) |year=2019 |isbn=978-9970-9852-1-0 |editor-last=Rwagweri |editor-first=Atwoki |location=Fort Portal, Uganda |language=en}}{{Cite web|author=Robinah Birungi |title=Empaako Ceremony, Origin and meaning |url=http://www.theugandan.info/index.php/culture/408-empaako-ceremony-origin-and-meaning |website=The Ugandan |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803112535/http://www.theugandan.info/index.php/culture/408-empaako-ceremony-origin-and-meaning}}
= Abbooki =
Abbooki is an empaako that comes from the Luo word {{lang|ach|aboko}} "I have narrated".{{Cite journal |last=Heusing |first=Gerald |date=2022 |title=Empaako, the Magic Word: A Special Form of Address Used in Western Uganda |url=https://epubs.ac.za/index.php/mm/article/view/1395/983 |journal=Multilingual Margins: A journal of multilingualism from the periphery |language=en |volume=9 |issue=1 |issn=2663-4848}}
= Abwoli =
= Acaali =
Acaali is an empaako reserved for men and comes from the Luo word {{lang|ach|acalo}} "I look like you".
=== Acanga ===
Acanga (often spelt Acaanga, however this spelling violates the Runyoro-Rutooro orthography) is an obsolete empaako, allegedly used by chiefs, thus it is not in common use.{{Cite web |title=Runyakitara Dictionary |url=https://runyakitara.com/runyoro.html |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=runyakitara.com}}{{Cite web |last=runyoroonline |date=2016-03-15 |title=Empako (names of praise) in Bunyoro and Tooro |url=https://runyoroonline.wordpress.com/2016/03/15/empako-names-of-praise-in-bunyoro-and-tooro/ |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=bunyoroonline |language=en}}{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}
=== Adyeri ===
Adyeri is an empaako that comes from the Luo word {{lang|ach|adyero}} "I have sacrificed".
= Akiiki =
= Amooti =
Amooti is an empaako that is generally used by the Omukama and the aristocracy, although normal people can still use this empaako. It comes from the Luo {{lang|ach|amoto}} "I greet".
= Apuuli =
= Araali =
= Ateenyi =
Ateenyi is an empaako that comes from the Luo word {{lang|ach|atenyo}} "I have left". This empaako is associated with the mythical snake of the River Muzizi.
= Atwoki =
Atwoki is an empaako that Gerald Heusing claims comes from the Luo word {{lang|ach|adok}} "I go back", although this is disputed.{{Cite journal |last=Heusing |first=Gerald |date=2022 |title=Empaako, the Magic Word: A Special Form of Address Used in Western Uganda |url=https://epubs.ac.za/index.php/mm/article/view/1395 |journal=Multilingual Margins: A Journal of Multilingualism from the Periphery |language=en |volume=9 |issue=1 |doi=10.14426/mm.v9i1.1395 |issn=2663-4848|doi-access=free }}
= Bbala =
Bbala (or Abbala) is an empaako reserved for men and was originally reserved for those close to the king. It comes from the Luo word {{lang|ach|abalo}} "I spoil it".{{Cite news |date=2016-06-26 |title=Empaakos In Tooro culture And Their Meanings |url=https://journalism.mak.ac.ug/?q=news/260616/empaakos-tooro-culture-and-their-meanings |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240713185910/https://journalism.mak.ac.ug/?q=news/260616/empaakos-tooro-culture-and-their-meanings |archive-date=2024-07-13 |access-date=2025-02-24 |work=Journalism@mak - Student Projects |language=en}}
= Okaali =
Okaali is an empaako that is not in common use since it is only used for the Omukama (king) when he is being worshipped in rituals or in special ceremonies.{{Cite book |last=Mwakikagile |first=Godfrey |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Lrflp8N3JQC&dq=empaako&pg=PA7 |title=The People of Uganda: A Social Perspective |publisher=New Africa Press |isbn=978-9987-16-033-4 |language=en}} In other cases, Amooti is used to refer to him, thus the Omukama is the only person in a community to have two empaako. After becoming the Omukama, he takes the empaako of Amooti and Okaali, no matter what empaako he had before. It comes from the Luo word {{lang|ach|okalo}} "he/she jumped over".{{Cite web |date=2024-06-10 |title=Empaako Village, a Cultural Heritage site in Fort Portal |url=https://kitararcc.com/2024/06/10/empaako-village-a-cultural-heritage-site-in-fort-portal/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Kitara Foundation for Regional Tourism: Transforming Communities through Travel Partnerships |language=en}}
Usage
Empaako are used to emphasize the social bonds existing when addressing the person. It is used to greet or show affection, respect, honor or lover.{{Cite web |title=empaako – Bunyoro-Kitara USA |url=https://www.bunyorokitarausa.org/empaako/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |language=en-US}} Empaako is awarded during a ceremony by the clan chief in the newborn's home. The choice of name is based on an analysis of the child's traits by his paternal aunts who look for a resemblance with other members of the family. Once the name is chosen, the clan chief attributes it to the child. After the ceremony, a meal of millet and smoked beef is shared. Presents are given to the baby and a tree is planted.{{Cite web |title=Toro celebrates identity through Empaako Festival |url=https://www.newvision.co.ug/category/news/toro-celebrates-identity-through-empaako-fest-137035 |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=New Vision |language=en}}
References
{{Reflist}}
Bibliography
- {{Cite web |ref={{harvid|Description of the empaako}} |title=The empaako tradition of the Batooro, Banyoro, Batuku, Batagwenda and Banyabindi of western Uganda |url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/USL/empaako-tradition-of-the-batooro-banyoro-batuku-batagwenda-and-banyabindi-of-western-uganda-00904 |website=UNESCO |date=2013}}
- {{cite web |ref={{harvid|Inscription as intangible world heritage - 2013}} |url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/d%C3%A9cisions/8.COM/7.A.12 |title= Decision of the Intergovernmental Committee: 8.COM 7.A.12 |date=2013 |location=Bakou |language=en |author=Comité intergouvernemental de l'UNESCO}}
- {{Cite web |ref={{harvid|Birungi - The Ugandan}} |author=Robinah Birungi |title=Empaako Ceremony, Origin and meaning |url=http://www.theugandan.info/index.php/culture/408-empaako-ceremony-origin-and-meaning |website=The Ugandan |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803112535/http://www.theugandan.info/index.php/culture/408-empaako-ceremony-origin-and-meaning}}
- Godfrey Mwakikagile, « Empaako (names of endearment) », in Uganda: The Land and Its People, New Africa Press, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 2009, {{P.|62-64}} {{ISBN|9789987930890}}
{{UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding/AFR}}