A group of Japan and Rwandan cultural artists eager to promote traditional culture, last weekend, entertained residents of Huye district.

The event organized under the theme "Inkera y’ Umuganura” attracted students from Rwandan universities and the University of Waseda, Japan, involving drama and traditional dance.

While opening the ceremony, Aimable Nsengiyumva, the organiser and chairperson of National University of Rwanda’s cultural ballet ‘Indangamuco’, told participants that the event was meant to restore and preserve traditional culture.

He explained that ‘Inkera y’Umuganura’ was a time for the king and his people to celebrate the New Year’s harvest. It was an occasion to recount their bravery and other praiseworthy achievements to the king.

Nsengiyumva said that there is need to restore the culture where Rwandans can gather to celebrate farming harvest and other economic achievements while planning for the future.

"The Indangamuco overriding mission remains to extend culture restoration to all Rwandans,” he said.

Atsushi Munakata, a Japanese participant, commended his fellow participants especially university students’ efforts to conserve culture.

He disclosed that Japan has had a cultural partnership with Indangamuco troop for a couple of years. He also recommended the conservation of culture through education.

"Any society is identified by its culture. Therefore, the government should set out measures to educate young generation the Rwandan culture,” Atsushi stated.

Ends