Teso Culture minister Elizabeth Laini displays some of traditional items. [Photos/Nandemu Barasa]

Minister for Research and Culture in the Kingdom of Augustine Papa Emorimor the King of Teso community has called on the people to embrace and uphold their culture. Speaking to the press in Amagoro constituency in Teso, Elizabeth Etyang asked the residents to love the Iteso culture saying it is the only way of bringing together people living in the area.

“I appeal to parents to help their children learn and master the Iteso language as a way of enhancing Teso traditional and cultural practices,’’ said Mrs. Etyang.

 Mrs. Etyang  asked the residents to be proud of their names and warned young parents to quit naming the new born English names terming them  misleading and retrogressive .She also added that European names  has been a great stumbling block on efforts, meant to make known the Iteso language.

 The minister cited cases of some Iteso youth disowning their tribe and changing their names, a factor she said should be eradicated through naming children with pure Teso names.

 “It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that Iteso are on the track on cultural issues to bring up unity and togetherness of the community,’ stated the minister.

“Parents should bring up children in the proper way possible, they should find time to educate and sensitize them on the goodness of their culture and this will help them know their origin and practices,’’ she added.

She also  emphasized on the use of local  food   telling them that it is healthy eating traditional food and shun eating modern food saying such food are full of chemicals  that will impact negatively on their lives .

“Our people must make good use of cassavas, bananas, groundnuts, millet and sorghum which are of high nutrients,” revealed Mrs. .Etyang.

 Being the Iteso cultural minister she has made efforts of enhancing the culture through airing of Teso programs in the local media station to educate the society on cultural issues.

 When asked about the future of the Iteso community and its kingdom, the minister stated that the Iteso community is there to exist and the kingdom of Papa Emorimor will survive in years to come.

 She dismissed allegation that the Iteso community will diminish saying that the Iteso community in Uganda forms the largest population with nine districts as compared to Kenya where the Iteso forms two districts of western province.

“This shows that the community is not marginalized as many have been thinking, we are many and we can unite and develop our practices,’’ she added.