The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) was brimming with excitement at Cultural Village wing as exhibitors showcased their immersive cultural experiences, bringing the vibrant heritage of Uganda to life for visitors from around the world.
Attendees were treated to a range of unique activities and experiences at the Cultural Village booths, including the guided interactive sessions on traditional crafts, traditional performances, and culinary experiences.
The atmosphere was filled with the sounds of traditional music and the scents of delicious local cuisine blending perfectly with the Uganda breweries limited hub providing smoothly crafted cocktails for all who visited.
“This specific POATE edition is meant to provide visitors an authentic and memorable experiential tourism that celebrates the diversity and beauty of Uganda. We want our guests to understand the reason why we were named the Pearl of Africa.” said the Uganda Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Lilly Ajarova.
Ajarova added that organizers choose responsible tourism as a theme in order to provide an opportunity for the country to sale our different cultural heritages in a sustainable style.
“We believe that experiential tourism is a powerful way to bridge cultural gaps and foster connections between people from different backgrounds. Our hosted buyers and visitors did not get enough time to traverse the whole Uganda because of the number of days they have been around, therefore having the cultural village at POATE under an open roof was aimed to simulate who we are, from boarder to boarder.”
The team of passionate exhibitors at every booth drew in a large crowd with their engaging demonstrations and storytelling, captivating audiences with tales of Ugandan traditions and customs. Visitors also had the opportunity to try their hand at traditional crafts such as plaiting hair, basket weaving and beading, grinding millet, winnowing and to learn about the importance of these practices in Ugandan culture.
Wamondu Ali Bashiru from the Bugisu region booth said they purposely came for POATE to position Bugisu sub-region as Uganda’s biggest coffee producers, showcase their rich culture and the making of the popular malewa delicacy. (Malewa is the traditional food for the Gishu people in eastern Uganda on the slopes of Mt. Masaba, also known as Mt. Elgon. It is served widely in the region during the traditional event and circumcision rites that are performed in each even numbered calendar year. Malewa emerges when it is mixed with groundnuts to make a paste or sauce that can be eaten with millet, yams, banana or sweet potatoes.)
“We are delighted to be a part of POATE and to have the opportunity to share our unique approach to sustainable tourism with a global audience,” said Wamondu extending an open invitation to all tourism enthusiast to attend this year’s Imbalu, a public circumcision ceremony practiced by the Bamasaba people of Uganda. It takes place at the Mutoto cultural site near Mbale in eastern Uganda.
“We hope to inspire others to explore the beauty and diversity of Uganda through immersive cultural experiences and to encourage a deeper understanding and appreciation of our rich Bamasaba heritage.” Wamondu noted.
As the day drew to a close, visitors left the Cultural Village booth with smiles on their faces and new insights into the vibrant culture of Uganda. These beautiful smiles transitioned into the Uganda Waragi and Pilsner branded section at the extreme right of the showground.
People tasted Ugandan superior brands as they jammed to fusion Kadodi and Edonga dance from the mighty Karamoja sub-region.
The passion and creativity at this eighth edition of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo has amplified the agenda of setting the stage for an unforgettable exploration of the wonders of Uganda under one roof.
