KAMPALA – The Uganda Museum over the weekend hosted the Ekyooto Cultural and Food festival.
This is the fourth edition of the increasingly popular annual event and it commenced on Friday, August 9, ending on Sunday August 11.
The theme this year was: Our diverse cultures and celebrating each other. That could explain the uniqueness and value of our tradition that was displayed in the dishes and dances.
Revellers had an opportunity to enjoy various traditional foods like Njera from Ethiopia, Indian, Iranian, Turkish, Luwombo, Malakwang and other delicacies.
There were dances from vast parts of Uganda including and the children enjoyed themselves on the swings and bouncing castles, giving parents a chance to enjoy the festivity.
The chief guest, Alemtsehay Meseret Galawu, the Ethiopian Ambassador to Uganda: “As Africans our history is not recorded or documented so it is normally shared through the elders. This initiative is one of the things that are covering that gap. I am impressed by the children and I thank all of you who have attended the event, it is a way of learning and sharing our rich diversity.”
Ms Galawu remarked that Ugandans areas such as Kabalagala and Kansanga are home for many Ethiopians, who enjoy Matooke like Ugandans do Njera and there is a lot shared in culture, dancing, cattle, colour and coffee.
As darkness set in , the true definition of “Ekyooto” came to life as the revellers gathered around the fireplace to listen to riddles, stories like for those of Nambi and Kintu, Gipiri and Labong, spoken truth, poetry while others sipped local brew like Malwa, Enturire, Mwenge Bigere, among other concoctions.
The festival organised by Perfect Events attracted enormous partners such as Uganda Tourism Board, UBC, Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Conservation through Public Health, Bank of Uganda, Ethiopian Embassy, Riham to mention but a few.
