It is 20 days to the KORA All-Africa Music Awards, the continent’s ‘Grammy Awards’, and this year, two Rwandans have been nominated in the 20th annual award show that will take place at the Windhoek Country Club in Namibia on March 20; songbird Knowless Butera and legendary traditional singer Cecile Kayirebwa. They were nominated in the ‘Best East African Female Artiste’ and the ‘Best Traditional Female of Africa’ categories respectively. 

For Kayirebwa, 2016 began with the launch of her album Urukumbuzi. It is being digitally distributed - the first of its kind.

During a soft launch event that took place on Sunday evening at Chez Robert in Kiyovu, Kayirebwa, who’s described by many as an icon and guardian of Rwandan traditional and cultural music, played for her fans and traditional music lovers most of the songs on her current album, taking time to explain the meaning behind the songs.

The private exhibit was also attended by Belgium Ambassador Arnout Pauwels, Tele 10 Group Founder/CEO Eugene Nyagahene, and Rwanda Society of Authors chairman Epa Binamungu, among others.

Performing songs like Sida, Rwagasana, Mbateze Igitego, Amatage, Inzozi data Yandoteye, Kuki Mwampishe, and Abuzukuru, to name a few, the celebrated traditional artiste urged music lovers to support Rwandans in any way possible in order to succeed, especially at events like the KORA’s.

"It’s a great opportunity for artistes, especially the traditional and cultural ones, to showcase their talent and place Rwanda on the international map. We get a chance to show the rest of the world what Rwanda has to offer in terms of culture and tradition. We therefore request everyone’s support for this to happen,” she said.

Asked whether she’s worried that there might not be anyone to follow in her footsteps (based on the fact that youngsters seem to only like international music), the singer said she is not worried at all.

"I’m not worried. Yes, young people seem to like international music, lately maybe even Nigerian, but most of the time, it’s only because of their background and the kind of society they live in. However, I’ve seen a number of young people who are passionate about Rwanda’s culture and traditions. I remember performing a number of French songs for quite a while, but I eventually had to quit,” she said.

With Urukumbuzi, Kayirebwa continues her mission to protect Rwanda’s traditional music and reaffirms the importance of passing on this cultural heritage to younger generations.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw