Serge Maniraguha is a folk singer, guitarist and painter -- three skills he acquired from his uncle, a veteran folk singer. Today, he runs his own art gallery in downtown Kigali, and as a musician, is working on his first full-length album due for release next year. Moses Opobo talked to him.
Serge Maniraguha is a folk singer, guitarist and painter -- three skills he acquired from his uncle, a veteran folk singer. Today, he runs his own art gallery in downtown Kigali, and as a musician, is working on his first full-length album due for release next year. Moses Opobo talked to him.
How did it all start?
I was born in a family of musicians. My uncle, Pascal Bushayija is a good musician and is one of the oldest musicians in the country. He was a good composer, guitarist and painter. He is the one who inspired me to like and do the same music and painting.
After primary school at Ecole Intwali in Kigali, I enrolled at Ecole d’Arts de Nyundo to learn music and painting in 1990. Although painting was the main course taught at the school, I learnt music as well because my uncle had instilled the interest in me.
Unfortunately the school was forced to shut down because of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, so I was forced to relocate to another school, Ecole Technique de Muhazi. After graduating in 1997, I started doing a few contract jobs as a painter around town.
When did you start singing seriously?
I started singing in the ADEPR choir in Gacinjiro, where I was a singer and guitarist. However in 1995 I left the choir and recorded my first song, Mama, which enjoyed a lot of airplay on Radio Rwanda.
What was the inspiration for Mama?
I got the inspiration for the song after my uncle Bushayija lost his wife and was left with the children to look after. I saw how he struggled to be both a father and mother to his children, and this gave me the inspiration to sing about kids who don’t have a mother’s love.
Any other songs to your credit?
Some of my other songs are; Daddy, Muhorakeye, and Urahebuje.
What is unique about Maniraguha the musician?
Being a left-handed guitarist. All over the world, there are very few left-handed guitarists, and I think they are always very talented.
What are you working on right now?
A new 12-song album, which I plan to release mid next year. Already three of the songs are out, and all their videos will be out for my fans before this Christmas. I also recently opened up my art gallery at the UTC Towers, it’s called Jet Homa.