What have you been waiting for all this time? That is a question directed towards the University of Rwanda and the Ministry of Health. Rwanda is one of the rare countries in Africa where its population speaks only one language, Kinyarwanda. But it is very disappointing that there are few literally works in the language and those available were published many years ago. It is, therefore, welcome news that the national university will soon introduce a Master’s Degree programme in Kinyarwanda Literature. The fact that the programme is being introduced today – 57 years since the institution was set up – gives one a picture of how much value former governments gave the language. Hopefully, we will see more academic works in Kinyarwanda, without relegating the other three official languages. The other field that will also get its due recognition is traditional medicine. The international pharmaceutical fraternity is well-known for its cartel-like operations and diabolising traditional medicine. For time immemorial, our forefathers perfected the art of using herbs to treat all sorts of diseases, but as modernity swept in, the traditional herbs and knowledge were thrown out of the window, But now the Government, through the Rwanda Foods and Drugs Authority, will soon regulate traditional medicine to bring it at par with other drugs and medicines. Lack of regulation contributed to the bad names traditional medicine and healers were given as their profession was invaded by all sorts of charlatans. But, most importantly, our forefathers’ knowledge was ignored and abandoned in favour of foreign cures. One only needs to pick a leaf from China whose traditional cures are recognised worldwide. If our ancestors survived to roots and herbs, why can’t we refine them through modern methods? editorial@newtimesrwanda.com
