HUYE - The Institute of National Museums of Rwanda (INMR) under its ‘mobile museum’ programme on Friday celebrated the annual Rwanda Culture Day.

Celebrations coincided with a cultural evening (Igitaramo), a rendition of traditional activities that took place at the King’s Palace, Chief’s courtyard or family in ancient Rwanda.

According to organisers, through activities like songs, recitation of poems and stories, elders transmitted cultural values to the young generation.

During the event that was held at the National Museum, guests were treated to games and sports and to a special gathering at a traditional house where they were served with traditional food and drinks.

Guests witnessed cows return from grazing and listened to a recitation of poems on cattle as was done in ancient Rwanda.

Honourable Emmanuel Mudidi, a legislator from the Chamber of Deputies, commended the institute for starting up the mobile museum programme; a move he said will help in educating the young generation about Rwandan culture.

He noted that most countries in the developed world have relied on their culture to lay a foundation for development, adding that misconceptions like the labelling of Rwandan names as ‘pagan’ should be discouraged. , said that cultural evening was one way of bringing the day to the community, to take it as their own and celebrate it.

"A museum without people is not a museum at all. We want to make it a community museum. We want to revive those cultural aspects which brought Rwandans together.We want to teach the young generation about our culture…before teaching foreigners, we should start with our own people,” said. Alphonse Umulisa, the institute’s Director General.

"By bringing people from different backgrounds, we want to make them realise that museums can be an investment, that culture can be a brand,” said Umulisa.

Jean Baptiste Nteziryayo, an elder and trainer under the mobile museum programme, said that holding such cultural evenings is a way of promoting Rwandan culture among the young people.

"We have to restore these cultural activities otherwise we are running the risk of losing what makes us Rwandan. The government is supportive of these activities and there is no doubt that we will achieve our objectives,” said Nteziryayo.
During the celebration, a documentary film ‘Imvugo Nziza (The Art of Conversation) was launched. The art of conversation was mainly learnt and practiced during cultural evenings. The film highlights how people used it to prevent, manage and solve conflicts.

The IMNR boasts of seven museums in several parts of the country, these include; the Living History Museum, Rwesero Art Museum, Rukari Ancient History Museum, Kandt House and the soon to be opened Kibuye Museum, among others.

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