They are young, talented and passionate about dancing—they call themselves the Jabba Junior members. Their exceptionally unique dancing skills have seen them win several dance competitions in the country over the past years. 

The New Times’ Sarah Kwihangana had a brief chat with these youngsters.

Sean Allan Tumba, 21

"I am the youngest in a family of three children. Being the last born always made me want to prove to everyone around me that I also had something to say.

As a little boy I didn’t know that I had the talent to become a good dancer. It was until a few years ago when I discovered my talent and I decided to embrace it.  

I joined Jabba Junior in September 2009 and, since then, I have never looked back. The group has helped to build my confidence and develop as a professional dancer.”

Ray Guy Mugunga, 21

"I am the third born in our family. I am in my Senior Six vacation, preparing to join university.

I am a dancer and choreographer. I discovered that I could be a professional dancer in 2005 while dancing from the streets of Kigali. I also taught some of my friends how to dance. I later joined Jabba Junior, one of the best Hip-hop dance crews in the country.”

Peter Jr. Niyonkuru, 13

"I draw my inspiration to dance from the 2006 American romantic dance film, Step Up and Stomp, a unique combination of percussion, movement and visual comedy.

I joined Jabba Junior dance crew in 2012 and the group has helped me build confidence and capability as a dancer, among other things.”

Philip Ethan Kalibuyeli, 18

"Since I was young, dance has been the only way that helps me to be able to express myself. I am among the pioneers of this crew. I joined in 2009 when the group was formed. 

I have learnt very many things from Jabba Junior like team-building skills, dancing and the chance to try a myriad of new things that I wouldn’t have dared to try.  Apart from dancing, I am a student at La Colombiere in Senior Six.

Djihad Mabano, 18

I am the second born in a family of four children, and have been passionate about dancing since my childhood. Like many other teenagers in Rwanda, I always admired Jabba Junior dance crew since its inception in 2009.

In 2012, I joined the Urban School of Dance. Because of my good performance at the dance school, I was asked to replace some of the crew members who went overseas.”