Highlights of Rwanda Cultural Experiences.

Rwanda has been a unified state since precolonial times, populated by the Banyarwanda people who share a single language and cultural heritage. Eleven regular national holidays are observed throughout the year, with others occasionally inserted by the government. The Rwanda Cultural Experiences include, Some of these days Umuganda day and Genocide Memorial day. Rwanda Cultural Experiences are very many but this also include Rwanda traditions. But the focus will be on  the main ethnic groups which include Hutu, TUtsi and Twa. Others like the great village Ibyiwacu, Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park, traditional activities, the special food dishes like Brochettes and many more.

Ethnic groups:

The vast group is Hutu with 85%, Tutsi 14% and the least Twa with 1%. Tusti are mainly pastoralists, engage in folk tales, proverbs and riddles. Hutu have special celebrations for a new born baby. The mother and the new born baby are kept within the house for some time like for seven days.

On the last day, other children are brought to join them as a way of welcoming the new born  in the community and be named. Twa are known for their pottery.

The great Ibyiwacu village:

Ibyiwacu village is the most Rwanda Cultural Experience  found on the outskirts of Volcano National Park in Musanze district in Rwanda. Ibyiwacu village exposes you to different behaviors and you may get engaged in their activities which makes you to be a Munyarwanda for that day or more. These activities of Rwanda Cultural Experiences include millet grinding on a flat stone, mock hunting, farming activities and traditional food preparation. Ibyiwacu village entertains visitors and  creates an imitation of the King and queen. At the palace of Nyanza province, you have to go with a spear and a shield as a way of respecting and praising him. Ibyiwacu village people makes handcrafts and benefits them since they sell them to visitors.

Rwandan cuisine:

The Rwanda cuisine is based on local staple foods produced by the traditional subsistence-level agriculture.Ugali is a paste made from maize and water, to form a porridge-like consistency that is eaten. Isombe is made from mashed cassava leaves and served with dried fish and many more. But the most enjoyed by visitors is Brochettes. Brochettes is the National dish, just on plate it will leave you salivating. Brochettes consists of halved potatoes, Fries, Roasted Bananas and sometimes spiced with tasty raw onions. Rwandan Cuisine is hardly missed since it’s found along the streets. Stand not to miss the great Rwandan Cultural Experience!!!

 

Traditional dances:

Intore is the most famous traditional dance and  consists of three components – the ballet, performed by women; the dance of heroes, performed by men, and the drums. Drums are of great importance, the royal drummers having enjoyed high status within the court of the mwami. Drummers usually play together in groups of seven or nine. Though initially, Rwandan traditional dance clothing was originally made from hides and barkcloth. The male dancers, who were the only officially recognised dancers in the society then, wore something like a skirt which they wrapped around the waist; it also covered the thighs.

Arts and crafts:

The south east of Rwanda is noted for imigongo, a unique cow dung art, whose history dates back to when the region was part of the independent Gisaka kingdom. The dung is mixed with natural soils of various colours and painted into patterned ridges, forming geometric shapes. Other crafts include pottery and wood carving.

 

Rwanda Cultural experience in Museums:

Rwanda comprises of 6  main museums. Some of them include:-Ethnographic Museum is the national museum of Rwanda located in Huye district. Ethnographic Museum exhibits open with geographical and geological displays, moving on to items used in hunting, agriculture, animal husbandry, pottery, weaving and woodwork. Kandt House is Rwanda museum of natural history located in Kigali city on Nyarugenge hill. Kandt House converted into the Museum of Natural History by the Rwandan government to celebrate him and his work and to symbolize the evolution of the ground, animals, and plants showing their interdependence on each other and many more.

Genocide Memorial Site:

Eleven regular national holidays are put in place throughout the year, with others occasionally inserted by the government.

Nyanza King Palace:

Nyanza or Nyabisindu is a town located in Nyanza District in the Southern Province of Rwanda. A reconstruction of the traditional royal residence. The King’s Palace is a beautiful-craft thatched dwelling shaped like a beehive. It was the site of battles and power struggles. The elegant cows, derived from the wider Ankole breed, played an important role during ceremonies in honor of the king. The elegant cows were the Inyambo cattle or King’s cattle. They are high treasure in that they dress with expensive jewelry in their neck.

Inyambo cattle:

Rwanda Cultural Experiences, Inyambo cattle are Royal cows. Physically, these magnificent creatures are unique by their very long horns and dignified appearance. But their historical and cultural importance is even more impressive. Under the traditional Rwanda monarchy, Inyambo are during important ceremonies in honor of the king. Because their destiny is for a special mission in life, the cows’ breeding is special. The breeder in charge has to submit Inyambo to “amazi ahiye” a sort of salty beverage which ensures that the cows produces calves that looks alike.

Akagera cultural Experience:

Visit of local production, this includes the production of milk and  banana beer and honey production locally. The cattle also provides the herds which they use in the local dances like Inture dance.

The locally collected honey is too tasty and used as medicine. The walkline enables you to walk along the edges of the Akagera National Park. 3 Days Akagera Wildlife Safari and you will follow the 120km fence line. The activities in Akagera include fishing and boat trips across the different lakes. Lake Shakani is the site of sport fishing in the park, then cook your catch over an open fire at the campsite.