Bugesera; the untapped historical gem in our midst

Long before being classified as one of the poorest villages in Rwanda, Mayange Sector, Bugesera District was historically known for being the home to Rwabanyanga cave and King Ruganzu’s seat. Located at the opposite end of the ancient King’s place in Nyanza, Southern Province, yet so close to the metropolitan Kigali, Mayange village and the entire Bugesera District give a fitting alternative for tourism in Rwanda, especially for cultural tourists. 63-year-old Celestin Sebukonoke, who The New Times found at the Mayange culture centre last week, was born and still resides in Gitaramuka village, Bugesera and he tells a story about the rich-yet-untold story of the greater Bugesera. “I was born in this village and my forefathers were born in Bugesera; to cut the long story short, I was born during King Rudahigwa’s reign (King Charles Mutara III Rudahigwa). According to Sebukonoke, the Chief of Bugesera was called Ruhorahoza Wa Ruhashyampunzi, others were sub-chiefs; they include Karekezi who headed Iryera, Rukakaza the leader of Manoge, Rwabuhihi led Irango area, Ngunga headed Mirenge, Burenge was headed by Kayumba while Gashora area was headed by Kimanuka. “There are a few others whom I couldn’t recall, especially those from the Ntarama area,” he says. Nonetheless, Sebukonoke still vividly carries boyhood memories of some special days such as, when King Rudahigwa would come from his Palace in Nyanza to visit Bugesera. ‘‘The King would make a stop-over at Nyamata, where he would call the residents of the area to address them and then continue with the tour of the rest of his Kingdom,’’ Sebukonoke narrates. “Before coming, the King would send messengers to inform the Chief and his subjects about his upcoming visit. Tourists enjoy a traditional troupe. Chiefs and all the people in Bugesera would meet the King at his campsite to be addressed. Unlike his forefather who would sit on that stone (points at the King’s seat, molded from the huge stone, which still seats at Rebero hill)—to relax—King Rudahigwa had a small modern convoy with him to tour Rwanda and a modern seat, ” recalls Sebukonoke During his visit, the King would ask his servants about security in the area, deliberate about agriculture and then after three days, the King would return to Nyanza or proceed to Kibugabuga. It is very known, according to Sebukonoke, that the Kinyarwanda traditional dance is said to have originated from Bugesera. According to Sebukonoke, young girls and women would gracefully dance for the king during his visit, and, slowly the dance went on to spread to the rest of Rwanda. He adds, that historically, Bugesera was considered an island in Rwanda; surrounded by rivers and lakes, including Akagera, Nyabarongo, Rwabusoro rivers, and Kirimbi, Gaharwa, and Cyohoha lakes, something he says makes the climate in this area a little bit different from the rest of the country. Historically, Bugesera is known as possibly the most densely populated area with the biggest part of the population being cattle keepers, and only a few cultivators making the area the place with the most cows in Rwanda after the Umutara area. Sebukonoke says that he has seen Bugesera being transformed from the poor ‘desert-like’ area, which was greatly affected by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, to one of the fastest developing areas in the country. Infrastructure like tarmac roads, water and electricity reach to the remotest village of the district. The district will soon host an international airport and businesses are growing steadily. Sebukonoke, is hoping that a few cultural values, including ‘Inyenge z’ Ubwami’, otherwise known as traditional thatched houses, and the King’s seat would be preserved for the next generation of Rwandans to see. Going by the efforts of Mayange Tourism Company (MTC), the precious sites are bound to be preserved, including Kibugabuga forest which habours the Rwabayanga cave—a cave where girls who conceived out of wedlock would be thrown during ancient times. Toursists sit with locals and experience how a basket is weaved. (Photos by Athan Tashobya) MTC is as a result of 1,931 total shares valued at Rwf19 milion from Mayange community members including weavers, knitters and dance groups among other individuals who came together to promote community and ecotourism products with support from the Millennium Villages Project. The cultural centre’s products include, the escape to nature tour; a product which involves nature walks, bird-watching in Kamatana valley, Lake Cyohoha and a tour around other Bugesera lakes, as well as Heritage tour excursions which would familiarise a tourist with Mayange’s rich culture and diverse fine arts with deep traditions. This product includes the experience of Mayange heritage sites such as King Ruganzu’s seat and Igisoro traditional game. Other products include ‘Mayange endless discovery tour’ and ‘Home away from home’—a package designed to offer homestays in Mayange enjoying fascinating spectrum of culture and traditions in a local setting while indulging in various village activities. Over 30 families in Mayange are willing to offer home-stay opportunities to a tourist who wishes to experience genuine Mayange warmth and Rwanda’s hospitality. The most absorbing tourism product is possibly the ‘Tour of Truth’; the visit to Nyamata Genocide memorial and the visit to ‘Igiti cy’Umuvumu village’, which provides a clear picture of what happened during the 1994 genocide against the Tusti. Bugesera District is endowed with various cultural treasures, and if these places are preserved and developed, they would in turn preserve the history of Rwanda. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Bugesera; the untapped historical gem in our midst