Alur King urges youths to promote cultural tourism
His Majesty Phillip Olarker Rauni III, blesses his subjects at an event to mark 19 years of his enthronement. PHOTO | PATRICK OKABA.
What you need to know:
- Olarker noted that Alur traditional culture is getting eroded because youths have distanced themselves from elders due to the influence of social media.
The Alur King, His Majesty Phillip Olarker Rauni III, has urged youths to preserve their traditional culture as a way to promote community tourism.
The King made the call during his traditional enthronement coronation anniversary on May 21, 2025, marking his 19 years on the throne at Atyak Wi-Nam, in Zombo District.
Olarker noted that Alur traditional culture is getting eroded because youths have distanced themselves from elders due to the influence of social media.
"We should practice the culture of unity, love, and embrace the attitude of hard work to restore development in our Kingdom," he said. "If we run away from culture, we shall be forced to be managed by other people's culture."
The Prime Minister of Alur Kingdom, Prince Lawrence Opar Angala, emphasized the need to engage Alur clan leaders to ensure the continuation and preservation of Alur heritage for future generations. He tasked clan leaders with promoting traditional ceremonies like customary marriage ceremonies and inter-clan reconciliation.
"Our culture is being diluted with foreign culture like dressing code, disco, and modern marriage ceremonies," Opar said. "The clan leaders should safeguard our traditional cultural events from being diluted by sensitizing youths to embrace our own culture."
Prince Julius Omar-rwoth of Padere chiefdom lamented that youths have left cultural events to elders and failed to learn the importance of culture in their lifecycle. "The fireplace which used to educate the young people about tradition is no longer visible in the community, causing elders to shift their fireplace to bars," he said. "The fireplace is shifted to bars and roadside, making it hard for young people to learn."
In a written speech, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, represented by Deputy Commissioner Ms. Lucy Otto, noted that culture is being eroded through the adoption of foreign cultural practices. "Due to globalization, the cultural values which we cherish in Africa are at stake of being eroded by copying new and imported cultural practices which have gross negative effects on our culture," Ms. Otto explained.
