By Prince Nyarwa
1.AMOOTI
This is for men and women
For twins:-Isingoma and Nyangoma
The saying is that “Eba y’Omukama rundi ya Ruhanga”
2.ABBOOKI
This is for men and women
For second twins:- Nyakato and Kato.
The saying is that “Eba y’Ihembe rundi y’Empunu”
3.AKIIKI
For men and women.
For great people
The saying is “Akiiki rukiikura Mahanga”
4.ATEENYI
For men and women.
It was the Empaako of the river Muziizi snake which was worshipped. Hence the saying “Ateenyi njoka ya Rwamuziizi”
5.ADYERI
For men and women.
Belonged to Embandwa Kaikara hence the saying “Adyeri Kaikara” Whoever is named Rwakaikara or Kaikara is Adyeri.
6.ATWOKI
For Men and women.
Belonged to Kagole
The saying is“Atwoki Kagole”
7.ABWOLI
For men and women.
Small girls are also addressed as Abwoli. Also for cats, hence the saying“Abwoli Kajangu”.
8.ARAALI
For men only.
The Empaako for Thunder hence the saying “Araali Enkuba”.
It is also the Empaako for Omucwezi Kagoro and all those people called Kagoro are Araali.
9.APUULI
For men only.
Small boys are also addressed as Apuuli. Princes can also be addressed as Apuuli.
10.ACAALI
For men only.
Also for small boys and for chiefs.
The saying is that “Acaali Embwa”
11.BBALA
For men only
Also for chiefs.
12.OKAALI
For the King only.
Only men address the King as “Zoona Okaali!” and the King does not answer. The king has another personal Empaako.
PLEASE NOTE:
The spellings are as written above. Most people write them wrongly. There are many things to learn about Empaako not written here e.g Origin, Significance, how to name etc. Recently UNESCO recognized our Empaako as one of the cultural heritages. There is a monument in Fort portal town known as the Empaako monument to promote this cause. It’s located near Stanbic bank. You will not be penalized for using Empaako. Great people in the world have acquired Empaakos.