The Minister of State for Elders Hon Dominic Gidudu Mafabi has described the new Lango Paramount Chief His Royal Highness (HRH) Eng Dr Michael Moses Odongo Okune as a man of resilience whose reign will stimulate growth and development in Lango.
“…I have observed and known you for some time now and there is no doubt that under your leadership as an exposed and well educated person, the people of Lango will witness many positive things…” he said.
Hon Dominic Gidudu Mafabi was on Saturday addressing a mammoth crowd during the official launch of the public circumcision period locally known as Imbalu Festival in a ceremony held at the Mutoto Cultural Heritage Grounds in Mbale City.
The compliments followed a speech made by HRH Eng Dr Moses Michael Odongo-Okune who urged fellow cultural and traditional leaders to continue rallying behind President Yoweri Museveni whose NRM government allowed the restoration of cultural institutions that were abolished by the UPC government.
He appreciated the king (Omukuka III of Inzi Ya Masaaba) HRH Jude Mike Mudoma for hosting and keeping safe thousands of the Lango community who are living and working in the Elgon Area.
“…Lango has a long history of healthy relationships with the people of Masabaland due to trade or business,education,civil service and intermarriage so we are brothers and sisters and in laws…”,Eng Dr Michael Moses Odongo Okune said.
The Lango Paramount Chief-elect also used the occasion to invite all the kings and cultural leaders to his landmark coronation slated for 2nd November, 2024 at Lira Mayor’s Gardens.
Earlier on the Lango Community in Mbale led by Dr Charles Patrick Okori organized a breakfast meeting with the Paramount Chief and his team held at Mbale Court View Hotel.
The Lango Community who comprises civil servants, business people and retired workers and students congratulated Eng Dr Michael Moses Odongo Okune upon his election and pledged total support to his leadership.
The Lango Cultural Institution Speaker (Won Tok) Willy Omodo-Omodo who led the advance team announced that several kings and cultural leaders from West Africa like Nigeria and Ghana have confirmed their attendance.
“…I have not only got new spheres of friends and partners, but learnt so many things that we are going to brainstorm and see how to use to improve on our side as a cultural institution…”,Willy Omodo-Omodo who heads Pedi Wii Bye Acel clan announced.
Others from Lango who also attended included Dr Alex Ario(Apac Okwero Ngec),Joseph Olet Magezi(Arak Ocola Yamyam),Alex Anganya(Otengoro Olang Okwerwang),George Ojwang-Opota(Omolo Acol Odyek Onywal Iceng),
The list also included Hon Maxell Ebong Patrick Akora(Oyima), George Angoli( Arak Ober),Simon Odepe( Arak Okwero Ocobo),George Ocen Abia (Bako Opuk),Prof Willy Okullo( Arak Okwero Yito),Charles Leo Olwa( Orimakori),Peter Acede( Todi) and Andrew Ogwang Oyang(Atek Okwero Wee),among others who have been energized by the Mbale cultural event.
Imbalu is the centuries-old circumcision ritual of the Bagisu people who prefer to be called Bamasaaba done on boys between the ages of 16 and 22 as an initiation into manhood.
The ritual takes place every even year in August where music, poetry and erotic and provocative dance are part of the menu in the performances when boys are trained or tutored about their society’s gender ideology, history and ritual practice.
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