Many times, Rwanda is known for wild life safaris including primates and mammals but there are more interesting features beyond what Rwanda is known for. Cultural tourism is more directed to the country’s heritage, art crafts, archeological facts, religion, land scape, local arts and museum which a portray a rich history of a small country like Rwanda.
Rwanda is occupied by Banyarwanda who are divided into Tutsi, Huntu and Ntwa, they have a contempolary way of living which was unified during the pre- colonial times. The people of Rwanda share one local language Kinyarwanda and express their celebration through Music and dance, storytelling at social gatherings.
Interesting culture attracts cultural tourist who are more interested in becoming familiar with the country’s’ tradition and way of life.
The cultural package usually includes visits to various places such as;
National Museum
A lot of interesting museums with in Rwanda including the national museum which show cases the geological displays of items which were used during hunting times, animal husbandry and agricultural tools, weaving baskets and pottery. Traditional clothing is also illustrated as well the importance of cattle keeping and the herd’s man. The national Museum also shows the traditional beliefs and customs, poetry and oral beliefs of the African native. The museums are found in different parts of the country including Nyanza, Kigali city, Butare and Gitarama among other places.
Iby’iwachu cultural village
Iby’iwachu cultural village also known as Gorillas Guardian village has partly grown and become part of Gorilla tourism being Near volcanoes national park. This cultural village is composed of reformed poachers who were once occupants in the park and set snares to catch antelopes and bush back that was their source of food since they lived in the forest.
Land was later allocated to them after eviction from the forest and now, they settle on the outskirts of the park. Iby’iwachu exhibits the day-to-day life of a local Rwandan, show casing the tradition and beliefs. A visit to this village gives you a chance to see their homesteads and experience the real African life of a typical Rwandan.
Activities offered by Iby’iwachu cultural village include; traditional dances and music, local banana brewing process, visit to traditional healer, hunting techniques, craft making by women, men and children, community walks among others.
The palace of king Mutara iii Rudahigwa.
The palace is good for learning how Rwandans lived before the arrival of Europeans. It was built in 1930 by the Belgians. Unfortunately, much of the original furniture with in the palace was destroyed during the 1994 genocide Rwandan war however it remains an interesting palace to learn about the political and traditional history of Rwanda.
Inema Art center
The art center is with in Kigali city, a work shop and art gallery run by two brothers has installations of colorful paintings classic contemporary Africa arts. It is one of the Modern art centers with in the city and most of the art is sold out. Once in a while Inema has dance festive and art and craft show cases.
similarly, there is Kigali cultural village a place where locals exhibit their art, food and sell their goods. It is an organized cultural place where once in a while there is a fashion show case, music and drama.
Memorial genocide sites
The memorial sites generally show the dark history of Rwanda from the out break of the cold genocide, mass killing of the population. The memorial sites are many around the country these include Kigali memorial site, Murambi, Nyamata, Nyanza, Bisesero among many others. The sites have more than 250000 victims who lost their lives in 1994 during Rwandan genocide. A tour around one of the sites you will learn the political history that led to the genocide between the Huntu and Tutsi as the survivors narrate what transpired during that time. You will also find Audio-visual translators, human remains and their clothes, their biography and pictures at most of these genocide memorial sites.
Kandt house museum
This stands out among all the museums exhibiting natural history of Rwanda. It has the uniqueness of its kind from the rest. Kandt house museum was a former residential house of the Germany explorer Dr Richard Kandt on which the name of the museum was derived, as of today it is a natural museum where you will find Rwanda’s wild life minerals, antelopes, vegetation, bird and other wild animals. There is also of focal point view of live snakes which include the black Mamba. The house is also surrounded by rocks, trees and mountains which makes it more natural. A guided tour will give you more insight about Kandt house Museum.
Festivals in Rwanda
Different cultural festive at different times happen in Rwanda every year. The festivals include umuganda which happens every last Saturday of the week. This festive is more about cleanliness, we must agree Rwanda’s Kigali city is one of the clean cities in East Africa, therefore on that day no office is open, no cars are allowed to move during cleaning time 08 am- up to midday with exemption tourist cars. The public cleaning day involves sweeping the streets and collecting all the rubbish and many others with in the city and its mandatory for the public.
Gorilla naming ceremony day “Kwita izina” is an annual celebration in October, the gorillas born with in that year are introduced to the public and thus named, this event attracts people across the world including international celebrities, conservationist and gorilla doctors and well-wishers to witness the gorilla naming ceremony which takes place in volcanoes national park.
Other festive including “Ukwibuka” in the month of April to commemorate the lost lives of the Rwandan genocide, international peace marathon, assumption day and many others.
Beyond primates and wild life Rwanda’s rich history and cultural heritage is something not to leave out while planning a safari in Rwanda. The cultural sites and place are in their original preserved state which makes it more interesting. Cultural tourism also helps tourist to know the back ground and lively hood of the people.