The power of touching and heartwarming artistic work, especially Rwanda’s poetry, at times gets underestimated. However, this important part of arts and culture has witnessed an emerging new voice, representing the new generation, challenging stereotypes and inspiring many.

Confiance Kibasumba, a 22-year-old poet, has captured attention with her lyrical stanzas and powerful poems which, especially for young women, really navigate a field often dominated by traditional views.

Born in Rubavu, Kibasumba’s passion for poetry began in 2016 when she was at Gasaka Primary School in Nyamagabe District. Attending school events and national celebrations sparked her curiosity.

"I would attend events where my fellow students performed, both at school and during national celebrations. These experiences sparked my curiosity, and I would speak to myself, "I can do that too”. This was in addition to my ongoing interest in Kinyarwanda words connected to the early kingdoms,” she said.

Initially, Kibasumba didn’t even recognize her efforts as poetry. Inspired by Kinyarwanda words and their historical significance, she began writing and performing for her classmates, even though she doubted her talent.

"I started writing with the intention of explaining those complex words. I performed my pieces in front of my friends, and they would tell me I was even better than the ones performing at those events. However, I couldn’t believe it. My response was always, ‘No, I can’t perform in front of large crowds.’”

Her breakthrough took shape during the 23rd commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi in 2017 at Murambi Genocide Memorial in Nyamagabe District where she performed a poem with a powerful message on the fight against the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. It opened doors for her and deepened her commitment to her craft.

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Hidden talent

Kibasumba’s talent gained momentum during her secondary school studies at G.S Kacyiru II in Gasabo District, where she was recognized for her poetry. Her confidence grew ever since, leading her to performing at various school events.

A big occasion in her career occurred when she visited a recording studio, months after Covid-19. From there, she discovered that poetry could be commercialized, particularly through platforms like YouTube after she was told more about it. She left the studio with her own channel and sold her first project for Rwf15,000, a life-changing moment that shifted her perspective on poetry.

The poetess behind "Ndaje” was later invited to her debut concert in Nyarutarama, where she met the artistes she greatly admired. To her surprise, those artistes, including the likes of Dinah Kampire, Carine Poet and Junior Rumaga, encouraged and hyped her up while she was on stage.

"I introduced myself to him [Junior Rumaga] and asked for a collaboration, something I never thought would happen; it was just a hopeful attempt. Fortunately, we ended up working on ‘Impanuro”, a poem that significantly boosted my career and brought me recognition in the world of poetry,” she said.

With the skills she had honed along the way, Kibasumba began releasing more works such as "Masisi,” "Ndaje,” "Rukundo,” and "Amahitamo” among other works, some of which feature other artists, up-and-coming or established ones.

Kibasumba’s hard work gained her a spotlight and she went on to win the Best Female Poet of the Year at the Rwanda Performing Arts Festival that took place in March.

Her poems convey powerful messages to the society of Rwanda and beyond.

For instance, she composed her poem "Masisi”, which is named after the Eastern Congo region, referring to its instability, particularly affecting the Kinyarwanda-speaking people (Banyamulenge).

This poem reflects her family’s history and the experiences of refugees, which she actually describes as a painful history. In the poem, she also expresses gratitude to Rwanda for providing a safe haven for refugees, who were able to integrate and feel at home.

Earlier in October, Kibasumba held a solo concert at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (KCEV), attracting a big turn up of poetry enthusiasts including government officials and prominent figures from the entertainment industry.

For her, this marked a significant milestone in her career, though she believes there are still more achievements ahead. The venue was fully packed, and she performed nearly all her poems for her loyal audience.

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The role of women in poetry

Kibasumba believes that, while poetry in Rwanda is growing, many women hesitate to engage with it due to outdated perceptions that label it as an "old-fashioned” form of art.

"This is our culture, and we should uphold it,” she said, advocating for a modern interpretation that connects with the young generation.

The poet recognizes the support for gender equality in the arts sector and encourages young women to seize the opportunities to express themselves and learn from one another.

Having completed high school at ESK Nyamata, Kibasumba looks forward to furthering her education while continuing to develop her poetry.