Empaako

Empaako tradition of the Banyoro, Batooro, Batuku, Batagwenda and Banyabindi of western Uganda
CountryUganda
Reference00904
RegionAfrica
Inscription history
Inscription2013 (8th session)
ListNeed of Urgent Safeguarding

Empaako (Tooro pronunciation: [empáːko], Nyoro pronunciation: [empâːko], sing.: empaako), also known as praise names or pet 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.[1][2][3]

Empaako is a naming system practiced among the Banyoro, Batooro, Batuku, Batagwenda, and Banyabindi people of Uganda as well as the Bahema of Eastern D.R. Congo by which children are given a name.[4] They were introduced after the Biito clan had conquered the Empire of Kitara,[1] and are nowadays used as a respectful and endearing way to refer to someone in conversation, separate from individual given names and surnames.[5] Empaako is included on the UNESCO list of intangible world heritage requiring emergency safeguarding.[4]

Empaako names

The empaako names are twelve in number plus one intended for kings, they are as follows:[6][1][7][8][9]

Abbooki

Abbooki is an empaako that comes from the Luo word aboko "I have narrated".[10]

Abbooki is a pet name given to a person who is expected to cherish the roles of parents, teachers, elders, mentors, councilors and leaders. Abbooki signifies some one who shares wisdom as passes on knowledge. It is given to both males and females.[11]

Abwoli

Abwoli[a] is an empaako that can be used for girls/young women in a context where it would be improper to ask for her empaako.[7] It comes from the Luo word abwolo "I deceive", and is associated with cats.[8]Abwoli however has to do with diplomatic relationships. The theory behind this is that "not all the truth needs to be told always, because it might cause unnecessary hurt and pain".

Acaali

Acaali is an empaako reserved for men and comes from the Luo word acalo "I look like you". It is also for small boys and chiefs. There's also a luo saying which states, "acaali embwa".[12]

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. This pet name is still under research; no better information is updated on it[13][14]

Adyeri

Adyeri[a] is an empaako that comes from the Luo word adyero "I have sacrificed". It's a unisex pet name which refers to a friendly, affectionate person with a "larger-than-life heart". It also belonged to Embandwa kaikara hence the saying "Adyeri kaikara", so whoever is named Rwakaikara or Kaikara is Adyeri.[15]

Akiiki

Akiiki is a unisex empaako that does not have a Luo origin, although it is associated with the title "Saviour of the Nations". It's the only name with Indigenous Bunyoro- Kitara roots and it refers to one who upholds community interests with love and honesty.[16][8]

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 amoto "I greet". It is for both men and women, twins especially Isingoma and Nyangoma. The empaako is associated with a saying, "Eba y'Omukama rundi ya Ruhanga. Amooti also refers to some one who genuinely respects and speaks well of others[17]

Apuuli

Apuuli is an empaako used exclusively by males, small boys and princes. It refers to some one with the ability to attract others, similar to the innocent charm of a child. It can also be used for boys/young men in a context where it would be improper to ask for his empaako.[7]

Araali

Araali is an empaako reserved for men, and does not have a Luo origin, although it is associated with a "savior" figure, power of thunder and the god of lightning, Kagoro, has this empaako.[8]

Ateenyi

Ateenyi is an empaako that comes from the Luo word atenyo "I have left". It is a unisex empaako which refers to some one who understands and loves a wrongdoer without condoning the wrong act. This empaako is associated with the mythical snake of the River Muzizi.[8]

Atwooki

Atwooki[a] is an empaako that Gerald Heusing claims comes from the Luo word adok "I go back", although this is disputed.[7]The name Atwooki is of ugandan origin, specifically deriving from Runyoro, Rutooro and Runyakole languages[18] spoken in Uganda, the name carries the meaning "they have increased" or "they have multiplied," reflecting themes of growth, prosperity, and abundance that are deeply valued in Bantu cultures. [19]

Bbala

Bbala (or Abbala) is an empaako reserved for men and was originally reserved for those close to the king.[1] It comes from the Luo word abalo "I spoil it".[20]According to the Tooro culture, it means some one who loves other people unconditionally.

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.[6] 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 okalo "he/she jumped over".[21]In Tooro, Okaali, however implies some one with the highest responsibility as a leader in the Kingdom of Rukira'abasaija Agutamba Omukama[22]

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.[4][23] 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.[4] After the ceremony, a meal of millet and smoked beef is shared. Presents are given to the baby and a tree is planted.[4][24]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Abwoli, Adyeri and Atwoki are often spelt Abwooli, Adyeeri and Atwooki respectively due to the long vowel present in each of these empaako.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Isingoma, Bebwa (December 2014). "Empaako 'Praise Names': An historical, sociolinguistic and pragmatic analysis". African Study Monographs.
  2. ↑ Forum, ICH NGO (2015-11-13). "The Empaako Traditional Naming Practice in Uganda". ICH NGO Forum. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  3. ↑ von Weichs, Raphaela (2019), ""What Is Your Empaako?" Naming and Becoming a Munyoro in Western Uganda", in Platenkamp, Jos D. M.; Schneider, Almut (eds.), Integrating Strangers in Society: Perspectives from Elsewhere, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 165–184, doi:10.1007/978-3-030-16703-5_10, ISBN 978-3-030-16703-5, retrieved 2025-02-24
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "UNESCO - Empaako tradition of the Batooro, Banyoro, Batuku, Batagwenda and Banyabindi of western Uganda". ich.unesco.org. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
  5. ↑ "UNESCO - Empaako tradition of the Batooro, Banyoro, Batuku, Batagwenda and Banyabindi of western Uganda". ich.unesco.org. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  6. 1 2 Mwakikagile, Godfrey. The People of Uganda: A Social Perspective. New Africa Press. ISBN 978-9987-16-033-4.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Heusing, Gerald (2022). "Empaako, the Magic Word: A Special Form of Address Used in Western Uganda". Multilingual Margins: A Journal of Multilingualism from the Periphery. 9 (1). doi:10.14426/mm.v9i1.1395. ISSN 2663-4848.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Rwagweri, Atwoki, ed. (2019). Ceremonies and Practices Associated with Empaako Naming System. Fort Portal, Uganda: Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform for Action). ISBN 978-9970-9852-1-0.
  9. ↑ Robinah Birungi. "Empaako Ceremony, Origin and meaning". The Ugandan. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017.
  10. ↑ Heusing, Gerald (2022). "Empaako, the Magic Word: A Special Form of Address Used in Western Uganda". Multilingual Margins: A journal of multilingualism from the periphery. 9 (1). ISSN 2663-4848.
  11. ↑ "Empaako and their Meaning – Tooro Kingdom". Retrieved 2026-06-18.
  12. ↑ BigEyeUg3 (2015-11-02). "PET NAMES (EMPAAKO) and Their Meaning". BigEye.UG. Retrieved 2026-07-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ↑ "Runyakitara Dictionary". runyakitara.com. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
  14. ↑ runyoroonline (2016-03-15). "Empako (names of praise) in Bunyoro and Tooro". bunyoroonline. Retrieved 2023-08-03.
  15. ↑ BigEyeUg3 (2015-11-02). "PET NAMES (EMPAAKO) and Their Meaning". BigEye.UG. Retrieved 2026-07-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ↑ goodgirljuliecrawf (2026-03-20). "Empaako: The Meaning Behind Bunyoro Kitara's Sacred Praise Names". BKNAA. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
  17. ↑ goodgirljuliecrawf (2026-03-20). "Empaako: The Meaning Behind Bunyoro Kitara's Sacred Praise Names". BKNAA. Retrieved 2026-07-01.
  18. ↑ "Runyoro, Rutooro and Runyakole languages". Bing. Retrieved 2026-07-02.
  19. ↑ "What Does The Name Atwooki Mean?". The Meaning of Names. Archived from the original on 2016-09-26. Retrieved 2026-07-02.
  20. ↑ "Empaakos In Tooro culture And Their Meanings". Journalism@mak - Student Projects. 2016-06-26. Archived from the original on 2024-07-13. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  21. ↑ "Empaako Village, a Cultural Heritage site in Fort Portal". Kitara Foundation for Regional Tourism: Transforming Communities through Travel Partnerships. 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  22. ↑ "Rukirabasaija Omukama Urges Tooro Youth to Drive Change and Embrace Kingdom Development Programs – Tooro Kingdom". Retrieved 2026-07-03.
  23. ↑ "empaako – Bunyoro-Kitara USA". Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  24. ↑ "Toro celebrates identity through Empaako Festival". New Vision. Retrieved 2025-02-24.

Bibliography

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