The Woman Member of Parliament for Soroti city, Joan Acom Alobo, has recognized the Ateker Festival as a workable approach in preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the Ateker people.
While speaking to our Nexus media team on Thursday, November 28, 2024, during the Ateker cultural festival at the Soroti Sports grounds in Soroti city, Alobo said that the 2024 event aids in reviving the dying culture, especially among the youth.
“Having these events and coming to watch cultural dances taking place makes us realize that my culture is my identity. So, we need to have more of this frequently so that we, the young people and the next generation, get to know that culture still exists,” she said.
According to Alobo, many young people are taken up by the western culture, which is killing the tradition.
She, however, appreciated the opportunity the festival posed for economic growth through restaurants, accommodation, clothing, and many more commodities.
“I am really excited and pray that we again get an opportunity to host another Ateker festival as soon as possible,” Alobo added.
Jessica Nakiru, one of the attendees from Kabong district, said that the event has brought the Ateker people together to showcase their culture through dance.
“The Karamojong people are well represented by people from Moroto, Nakapiripirit, Kabong, Abim, Karenga, and other districts. Earlier this year, we were in Karenga to celebrate the Karamojong. Now we are together as one Ateker people in Soroti city,” she said.
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The cultural troupes danced to songs that include how to improve household incomes through the Parish Development Model (PDM), warrior/victory songs, unity, and living in harmony, among others.
The 2024 edition of the Ateker reunion festival is running under the theme, Celebrating Shared Heritage; Forging a Path Towards Peace, Prosperity, and Cultural Renaissance, and it is the first time the event is being celebrated in Uganda.
The Ateker-speaking communities include the Nyangatomo of Ethiopia; the Toposa, Bari, and Torit of South Sudan; the Iteso, Turkana, and Masai of Kenya; the Iteso, Karimojong, Jie, Dodoth, Kumam, Langi, and Kakwa of Uganda; and the Masai of Tanzania, plus other closely-knit groups spread across the greater East African region.
