Mzee Apua Moko, an elder from the Morulem Town Council, says they were not involved in the selection process of the new cultural leader, which they believe is a crucial aspect of their tradition.
A section of elders have distanced
themselves from the planned installation of Rwot Mathias Okello Ngolryeko Aryon IV, the cultural leader of the Ethur community in Abim district.
The installation ceremony has been
scheduled for Saturday at Yenglemi West Cell, Abim Town Council in
Abim district.
Rwot Aryon will be succeeding Rwot Paul Ochero Aryon, who died in
2022.
However, some of the elders say that they
are not part of the function, citing a lack of consultation in the process.
Mzee Apua Moko, an elder from the Morulem Town
Council, says they were not involved in the selection process of the new
cultural leader, which they believe is a crucial aspect of their tradition.
He shares similar views with Jackson Ayen,
the Chairperson of the Ethur Elders Council. Ayen, who doubles as the cultural
leader of Othem Abiro, queries the procedure of selecting the leader.
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The designated cultural head of Ethur said that the elders’ comments were
politically motivated to jeopardize efforts of the interests of the Ethur
community.
He added that after his installation on
Saturday, another date will be set later for the coronation ceremony.
According
to the Ethur culture, the installation ceremony is conducted by the elders of
the clans before the official coronation, which will be attended by different
dignitaries.
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Sources in Abim trace the Ethur cultural
leadership to the 1890s, with the first leader only identified as Ochero
Abarangimo I, situated in Kamurono, the border between Abim and Agago districts.
The pioneer leader was followed by Antoni Aryon II in the early 1900s.
Later, the last leader, Ochero Paul AryonIII took over before his eventual
death in 2022.
Jennifer Acheng
Freelancer