Minispoc is keen on boosting cultural tourism - Minister Uwacu

Julienne Uwacu, the Sports and Culture minister is a hands-on person. When she paid a courtesy ministerial visit at Red Rocks Backpackers’ Campsite in Nyakinama village, 7km outside Musanze town recently, the facility’s management and the throngs of excited residents that turned up did not know what she had in store for them. If anything, this was the most high-ranking government official yet to set foot at Red Rocks, hence the excitement from workers, residents from the outlying villages, and the handful of in house guests and tourists at Red Rocks. Nobody knew that the minister would deviate from the norm of what most government officials do at such forums – which is usually to take a guided tour before delivering a short prepared speech. Started in 2011, by Greg Bakunzi, a tour guide-turned entrepreneur, Red Rocks prides itself in offering vibrant and custom-designed community and cultural tourism experiences besides the standard tent and hostel accommodation facilities. Hence the catch line; “Where cultural tourism leads to community development.” There is a host of activities to indulge in, from arranged home stays with local host families, community walks, art and crafts, basket weaving, banana beer production and tasting, traditional meals, and lessons in Kinyarwanda. The facility also offers volunteer opportunities with local communities, schools, health facilities and other development projects, which is a favorite with backpackers. Bakunzi, the proprietor of Red Rocks operates on a simple mantra: “While it might be the mountain gorillas that entice most tourists to the country, it’s the people of Rwanda that will keep a tourist coming back.” Minister Uwacu arrived shortly after 11:00 am, flanked by the acting mayor of Musanze district, Jean Damascene Habyarimana. Harriet Ingabire, the manager of Red Rocks ushered them in, before taking them on a guided tour of the facility. Her first stop was the art and craft village, where she was shown the handiworks of the local artisans. Young boys from the village took to the paint brush and pallet to showcase the painting skills they learn from here over the weekends. Minister Julienne Uwacu is ushered into Red Rocks by the manager, Harriet Ingabire. / Moses Opobo Clad in umushanana (traditional Rwandan wear), the cooperative women and their daughters entertained the guests to some energetic folk dances before the minister toured the technology section where she educated about how past generations of Rwandans curved tools and farm implements from heated rock. As the minister and her group walked over to witness the process of local banana beer production, mayor Habyarimana spotted a local board game called (Igisoro) and asked if he could indulge himself. Bakunzi, the owner of Red Rocks stepped up to the challenge and for about five minutes, the two tangled over animated banter, much to the amusement of locals and tourists alike. Then came the highlight of her tour. The minister and mayor took seats, before they were taken through the process of banana beer making, and it’s cultural significance. The women then unearthed a huge cache of ripe bananas that had been buried under dry grass and banana leaves. When they started peeling the bananas with their fingers, the minister and mayor simply joined in. Everyone that had previously shown indifference now joined in. laughter and soft banter filled the air. The two were asked if they wanted to participate in the actual brewing process and they answered in the affirmative. Two lesu (floral body wraps) were quickly mobilized and the women helped the two adorn them. Then they went on their knees to start squashing the bananas with the brewers. The minister kept assuring the crowd that she too is well grounded in her culture. At some point in the tour, the minister and mayor expressed some apprehension at some of the visual exhibits on display, particularly one that depicted a village drunk dressed in tattered clothes. Another exhibit depicted traditional modes of transport in Rwanda -with a wooden bicycle laden with old jerry cans used in transporting local beer and water. But Bakunzi, their host had a different perspective to it; “What we need as cultural tour operators is not cultural transformation, but promotion,” he said, adding that many tourists are increasingly drawn to real life experiences of ordinary people. At the end of her visit Bakunzi thanked minister Uwacu and the mayor, saying the minister was the highest-ranking government official to set foot in the place so far. “First of all this was not an invitation from Red Rocks. It’s our own initiative as a ministry to visit and be in communication and in collaboration with all investors in cultural tourism,” the minister told me. “We really appreciate all that has been done so far, especially the spirit of working together with the local community but as we discussed with the owner of this business, there’s a lot to improve. The conception of this village and the exhibits should be improved, and the information they give out to different visitors needs to be written but also well-explained.” “We have promised to work closely with them to help avail some research about the social lives of Rwandans but also we can work with RDB and other government institutions to see how we can improve the level of our cultural tourism while doing it professionally.”

Lifestyle

Minispoc is keen on boosting cultural tourism - Minister Uwacu