Iteso cultural leaders have decried the erosion of the community’s culture in Kenya and Uganda, telling parents to help reverse the trend.
The leaders were led by the Council chairman of the Iteso Cultural Union Paul Sande Emolot.
They spoke during the Iteso Cultural Festivals at Kakapel Cultural Centre on Utamaduni Day.
They said the community risks extinction if it doesn’t embrace culture.
“The Iteso in Uganda embrace English and Kiganda while their counterparts in Kenya like English and kiswahili, this scenario can become retrogressive if we don’t put it to a halt,” Emolot said.
He predicted a scenario where the community’s identity will be a challenge in the next few years, noting that cultural values are key and only when youths encourage intermarriages between community members in Kenya and Uganda.
The Council chairman was impressed by the advice of the area Member of the County Assembly Grace Omasete who told girls to observe the tenets of their forefathers.
Busia Deputy Governor Moses Mulomi said the event’s theme “Teso Culture and economic prosperity” befits the occasion and thanked the National Government for transforming Boxing Day that was usually celebrated on December 26th to Utamaduni Day.
The DG said financing of the event will now be easy since the day is now on the national calendar of events, noting that the county government takes special attention to events that promotes cultural diversity.
He said the road from Albert Ekirapa Secondary School junction to the cultural center will be repaired to make it motorable.