The Ker Kwonga Panyimur Museum Catalogue was launched on the 24th of February 2023, in Panyimur sub-county. The catalogue documents cultural heritage resources that are stored in the museum and those within the vicinity.
Officiated by the Ombidi Charles Okumu II, the chief of Ker Kwonga Panyimur Chiefdom, the event brought together representatives of local government, chiefs, civil society organisations and young people.
The Alur region in general, and Jonam County, in particular, is well endowed with several cultural, natural and historical treasures, both tangible and intangible. Some examples of these treasures include the Ker Kwonga Chiefdom Museum in which different cultural objects are safeguarded and showcased to both local and foreign visitors.
The important but threatened cultural resources in the museum include the royal regalia of the Ker Kwonga Panyimur chiefdom, household utensils, traditional justice system symbols, music and dance, traditional healing mechanisms and ceremonies and artefacts related to economic activities and livelihood.
A rod that the late Yowana Ombidi used during the demarcation of the Uganda-Congo border in 1914 is also preserved at the museum. Apart from the cultural treasures that are showcased inside the museum, there are several other cultural treasures that are found within the vicinity of the museum and these include the famous ajaa – the practice of truth-telling among the Alur, the hot springs and the royal graveyard of chief Yowana Ombidi (the grandfather to the Charles Ombidi, the reigning chief).
Several scholars and researchers have written about the Alur, especially about the famous legend of Gipir and Labongo, the two Luo brothers who parted ways along the Nile, but little focus has been put on other cultural heritage resources.
This catalogue, therefore, provides an opportunity for the Alur generally and the Jonam, in particular, to share their perspectives on the importance of their cultural heritage resources and identity. This catalogue profiles the cultural resources cherished by the Alur from Jonam.
Youth cultural heritage cluster competition
At the event, young people held a competition in traditional music, dance and debate under the theme ‘My culture promotes equality between boys and girls.’ 7 schools participated in the competition were Parombo Secondary School emerged as winner taking home a grand prize of Ugx 500,000; Panyimur Secondary School as first runner up winning Ugx 300,000 and Pakwach Secondary School as second runner up, winning 200,000. Outstanding performers were awarded certificates to recognise their efforts
The competition was organised to promote cross-learning amongst young in relation to cultural heritage preservation and promotion.
Every year, since 2011, the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda has organised a national heritage competition for young people below the age of 21 years. Given that the national competition is not always inclusive, inter-club/cluster-based competitions were introduced in 2020. These competitions bring together young people in heritage clubs to compete in different activities such as debates, traditional folk songs, dances and games and exhibitions guided by a theme. It is against this background that CCFU will revive cluster-based competitions which had been halted by the Covid-19 pandemic.