View source for Empaako

{{refimprove|date=May 2024}}
{{Short description|Naming system of Western Uganda}}
{{Infobox intangible heritage|Image=<!--[[File:XXX.png|220px]]-->|Caption=<!--XXX-->|State Party=Uganda|Domains=Oral traditions and expressions; social practices, rituals and festive events|ID=904|Region=AFR|Criteria=<!--???-->|Year=2013|Session=8th|List=Urgent safeguarding|Link=|Below=[[File:Unesco Cultural Heritage logo.svg|100px]]|ICH=Empaako tradition of the Batooro, Banyoro, Batuku, Batagwenda and Banyabindi of western Uganda}}
'''''Empaako''''' ({{IPA-all|empáːko|Tooro pronunciation:}}, {{IPA-all|empâːko|Nyoro pronunciation:}}, {{singular}}: '''''empaako'''''), also known as '''pet names''' or '''praise names''',<ref name=":1">{{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}}</ref> is a practice of the [[Tooro people|Batooro]], [[Nyoro people|Banyoro]], Batuku, Batagwenda, and Banyabindi peoples of Uganda by which children are given a name.<ref name=":4">{{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}}</ref> They were introduced after the [[Luo peoples#Uganda|Biito]] clan conquered the [[Empire of Kitara]],<ref name=":1" /> and are nowadays used as a respectful and endearing way to refer to someone in conversation, separate from individual given names and surnames.
Empaako is included on the [[UNESCO]] [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists#List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding|list of intangible world heritage requiring emergency safeguarding]].<ref name=":4" />
== Empaako names ==
The empaako names, twelve in number plus one intended for kings, are as follows:<ref name=":0">{{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}}</ref><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{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 }}</ref><ref name=":5">{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>
=== Abbooki ===
''Abbooki'' is an ''empaako'' that comes from the Luo word {{lang|ach|aboko}} "I have narrated".
=== Abwoli ===
''Abwoli'' is an ''empaako'' that can be used for girls/young women in a context where it would be improper to ask for her ''empaako''.<ref name=":2" /> It comes from the Luo word {{lang|ach|abwolo}} "I deceive", and is associated with cats.<ref name=":5" />
=== 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.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Runyakitara Dictionary |url=https://runyakitara.com/runyoro.html |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=runyakitara.com}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}
=== Adyeri ===
''Adyeri'' is an ''empaako'' that comes from the Luo word {{lang|ach|adyero}} "I have sacrificed".
=== Akiiki ===
''Akiiki'' is an ''empaako'' does not have a certain Luo origin, although it is associated with the title "Saviour of the Nations".<ref name=":5" />
=== 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 ===
''Apuuli'' is an ''empaako'' used exclusively by males, and can be is used for boys/young men in a context where it would be improper to ask for his ''empaako''.<ref name=":2" />
=== Araali ===
''Araali'' is an ''empaako'' reserved for men, and does not have a Luo origin, although it is associated with thunder because the god of lightning, Kagoro, has this ''empaako''.<ref name=":5" />
=== 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]].<ref name=":5" />
=== Atwoki ===
''Atwoki'' is an ''empaako'' that Gerald Heusing claims comes from the Luo word {{lang|ach|adok}} "I go back", although this is disputed.<ref name=":22">{{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 }}</ref>
=== Bbala ===
''Bbala'' (or ''Abbala'') is an ''empaako'' reserved for men and was originally reserved for those close to the king.<ref name=":1" /> It comes from the Luo word {{lang|ach|abalo}} "I spoil it".
=== 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.<ref name=":02">{{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}}</ref> 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".
== 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.<ref name=":4" />
''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.<ref name=":4" />
After the ceremony, a meal of millet and smoked beef is shared. Presents are given to the baby and a tree is planted.<ref name=":4" />
== 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}}
[[Category:Tooro people]]
[[Category:Culture of Uganda]]