The State Minister for Fisheries and Serere District Woman Member of Parliament, Hellen Adoa, has emphasized the importance of a unified cultural identity for the Ateker people.
Adoa made these remarks on November 26, 2024, during a meeting at Soroti University, where representatives from various Ateker-speaking regions gathered to discuss the future of their cultural heritage.
“The reunion of the Ateker people is important to me. Our language, our tribe, is slowly disappearing. When you look at other communities in Uganda, like the Acholi and Lango, they are actively promoting their languages and traditions. But many of our children no longer know how to greet in Ateso,” she said.
According to Adoa, a strong cultural identity is essential for fostering unity and collaboration among the Ateker communities, emphasizing the importance of speaking Ateso and preserving the traditions and connecting with roots.
The minister expressed her excitement for the event, which will not only highlight the rich culture of the Ateker people but also provide an opportunity for people from different countries to reunite.
“I look forward to seeing the traditional attire of the Iteso, hearing our language spoken, and reuniting with my brothers and sisters from other countries such as Sudan, Kenya, and Ethiopia,” she said.
She also proposed to establish a single cultural king for the diverse communities as a way to strengthen unity and promote shared traditions among the Ateker people, regardless of the country in which they live.
“We, as Ateker, should have one tradition, one attire, and one anthem. We should have one king,” Adoa emphasized.
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Adoa further revealed that, while there can still be other cultural leaders, such as clan heads who can serve as chairpersons in their respective regions, having one king would be beneficial for all the Ateker people, whether from the Topatha, Jie, Iteso, Turkana, or Karamojong communities.
The Ateker people, who reside across several East African countries, including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sudan, have long shared linguistic and cultural ties.
The Ateker Reunion Festival, scheduled from November 27-29, 2024, at Soroti Sports Ground, is expected to be a key moment for cultural celebration and cross-border collaboration.
