'Guhaha' is based on the principle of barter trade

Editor, Reference is made to Joseph Rwagatare’s article, “Of Rwanda’s youth, education, guhaha and transformation” (The New Times, May 26). I entirely share this view, and I am glad he explained the concept of “guhaha” so well. You’ll allow me, however, to add another dimension in the above concept of “guhaha”, that I consider fundamental. The person going away to acquire resources that are lacking at home doesn’t travel empty handed. In this case, she/he would be viewed as a beggar. “Umuhashyi” (the person going away to acquire resources), instead, leaves home either with a purse well stuffed with currency for exchange, or as some among our ancestors used to do, with a basket on the head filled with local crops to exchange for other kinds of crops growing in another corner of the land. The Japanese methodically and spectacularly did it shortly after the Meiji Revolution, and other Asian countries did the same successfully years later. The point here is, they didn’t go to the west with empty heads and empty hands. They weren’t the poor being “aided”...their land and cultural wealth were and are still intact, and the acquisition from the west are only an addition to what they already own. Contrary to Africans, generally recipients of aid, contemporary Asia is involved in a sort of barter with the west. They give, and take in return. And that is the core dimension in the concept of “guhaha”. In short, my point is that, while focusing on what young Rwandans and Africans get and should be getting from abroad for transformation at home, it is also fundamental, and even a prerequisite, to highlight first what Rwandans and Africans own as their exclusive wealth. This comprise natural resources already and often given away, but also cultural resources as well, that we ought to explicitly value for an eventual exchange, on equal basis, with all other people throughout the entire world. Francois-Xavier Nziyonsenga ********************** Great piece; I completely agree with Mr Rwagatare. I am a Rwandan studying abroad but our President has instilled in us a sense of oneness and pride for our country. We, as Rwandans, regularly meet and we have set an example to other foreigners as well as nationals. They are always amazed at the love we have for one another and for that I am so grateful for what the President continues to do every day, by inspiring us to do better, shun mediocrity but, above all, be patriotic. Thank you President Paul Kagame. Ray

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'Guhaha' is based on the principle of barter trade