Rwanda Day: Let's observe culture as we celebrate economic progress

On each Rwanda Day, style has always been a conversation starter and overwhelming beauty, a climate of admiration. In the hallway, girls walk with such elegance that no man can endure. Like a wedding, though appropriate; you would think Rwanda Day is a call for fashion show. But first, whether you like it or not, Rwanda Day has become a bonding ceremony, one that brings the Rwandan diaspora across the world to celebrate the Rwandan Agaciro, our dignity. This year’s was held in Atlanta-USA, where over two thousand Rwandans and friends of Rwanda congregated to welcome President Paul Kagame. Everything fell in the crack of perfected planning. The entertainment brought some of Rwanda’s most admired artists like King James and Gakondo Group, Sophia Nzayisenga, Giramata-Muhoza and Mahoro. The MC, Lewis Murara, a gentle eloquent thunder led the crowd through the programme. At the registration line, stories were told…of a man who begged to have a Rwandan flag so that his children would grow with that image engraved in their minds. However, what defines the power behind Rwanda Day is the story of an elderly woman who sat on the bus for twelve hours from Maryland… “Today is my day.” She said softly. Looking back, each Rwanda Day has had something particular that people remember it for. Chicago is remembered for being the first. Boston was unique in its own way especially having been at the time when “Agaciro” concept took off. Also during this time, Rwanda was traversing political turbulences—it was a good gesture for Rwandan diaspora to prove support to the government. To me, Rwanda Day in Toronto last year remains a symbolic backbone of all Rwanda Days for one reason: The remarks of President Paul Kagame. He spoke to the youth as a parent, mentor and advisor. In his speech, His Excellency spoke with sheer love, reminding the youth to live up to the advantage of both worlds but not forgetting the values of where they come from. Now, Rwanda Day in Atlanta made parents gaze skywards. Some girls were wearing short and tight dresses which left people murmuring behind their backs. Others were wearing needle-like high heels;each step they took was carefully measured and would barely bend so as not to rip their dresses. In his speech, the President reiterated, “Agaciro, dignity is about creating a sense of self-worth.” In Atlanta, this self-worthiness was replaced by artistic imperfections. Like some boys, there were girls who attended Rwanda Day wearing only long t-shirt hanging bellow the buttocks. “Does that dignify girls?” I asked myself. Fashion is a low blow for me. But I would know what dress best fits a nightclub and what for a presidential visit. Although their love for the country is unmatched, their cultural values seem to have been eroded away. Socrates believed “the perfect human being is all human beings put together.” Like President Paul Kagame, “self-worth is only achieved if all of us together value one another.” Besides clinging dresses that forced girls to walk with unimaginable difficulties, Rwanda Day drew a beautiful crowd. Their patriotism is uncompromising. Like the elderly woman on the bus, many drove across the states; others flew from west and across the ocean to attend Rwanda Day. As we look forward to future Rwandan Days, community leaders, parents and mobilisers have a task to remind and educate boys and girls what constitutes dignity. Little things make Rwanda Day exceptional… “This Agaciro— dignity” says the President “the rest builds on that.”

Opinions

Rwanda Day: Let's observe culture as we celebrate economic progress