Salutations

Besides their family names, the Batooro have pet names called ‘empaako’. They are used in the exchange of pleasantries and greetings. They declare affection, respect, love, and honor.

When a Mutooro meets any person within Tooro Kingdom and they do not know them, the first thing to ask him or her is the pet name by saying, ‘Empaako yaawe?’ This means, ‘What is your pet-name?’ Once you have established the pet name, greetings made, the conversation can continue.

Having established each other’s empaako, they proceed to exchange greetings. Our relatives, close friends, and (sometimes) important members of the community, expect us to know their empaako. It is impolite not to know it! Sometimes one tries to ask other people while the relative, friend, important person, etc. is not hearing, so one can greet them without having to ask them their empaako. Grown-ups can generically apply the empaako Apuuli to young male children whose empaako they do not know. The empaako Abwooli may be equally applied to young female children.

Morning Greetings: For instance, in English, one would say, ‘Good morning Peter’. In Rutooro, the name Peter will not be used but rather, his pet name. If Peter’s pet name is Apuuli, a Mutooro would greet, ‘Oraire ota Apuuli’, literary meaning, ‘how was your night Apuuli’. CONTENT NEEDED

Day time Greetings: CONTENT NEEDED

Night Time Greetings: CONTENT NEEDED

When people who were related greet each other, the younger sits on the lap of an elder or bends in courtesy for the elder, using the right hand, to touch the left shoulder of the younger. Among the Babiito, the younger touches the forehead and chin of the elder before announcing the empaako.