Poetess Malaika Uwamahoro, known for her compelling storytelling and profound artistic expressions, on August 5, released her debut album that centres on Rwanda’s history from the pre-colonial era to the present. The album particularly addresses Genocide denial. Dubbed “Rhymes of Remembrance”, the 25-minute collection of five powerful poems is a reflection of Rwanda’s resilience—edutainment, as she calls it—highlighting her commitment to preserving history and celebrating creativity. Dedicated to the victims and survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the album is not just an artistic endeavour, but an attestation to truth, a preservation of history, and a powerful tool against Genocide denial. The lyrics provide a gateway for all generations to engage with Rwanda’s history through the transformative power of creative arts. Some of the poems are; ‘We Lost When We Forgot’, ‘Strength in the Struggle’, ‘If’, ‘I Speak for the People’, and ‘Rwanda is not Hotel Rwanda’, to name but a few. ‘We Lost When We Forgot’ This explores Rwanda’s early history before the scramble and partition of Africa, focusing on the significant losses suffered, particularly the loss of cultural unity and self-identity, which contributed to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. “We must remember to tell the whole truth of our history without leaving a hole of hatred to those who hear us. We lost so much when we forgot about us. Turi Abanyarwanda,” the poem states in part. ‘I Speak for the People’ This poem begins with ‘Tuzarwubaka’ (we must build our country) from the renowned song. It reflects on a period when Rwandans faced fear, and had hope amid tears, choosing collectively to rise above anger and danger. The poet believes it resonates with those who have ignited hope in the face of fear, replacing hate speech and propaganda with dialogue and conversations focused on unity and reconciliation. ‘Rwanda is Not Hotel Rwanda’ This 4:58-minute poem emphasises that Rwanda should not be defined by the history depicted in the infamous ‘Hotel Rwanda’ film. Instead, it depicts Rwanda as the vibrant heart of Africa, inviting to foreign investment and tourism. The country is referred to as a paradise on earth, embodying Agaciro (dignity). The poem emphasizes that Rwanda's identity will not be shaped by the history of the Genocide. “This album serves as a starting point of understanding for all generations yearning to learn through the means of creative arts. It is evidence of truth in the face of Genocide denial, a preservation of history, and a celebration of creativity and the transformable powers of art,” Uwamahoro explained. She noted: “I’ve always been passionate about writing about Africa and my motherland, Rwanda. One of the things that has always pushed me to do so is the inaccuracy when others tell our stories. Often, Westerners are the ones telling our stories, especially in historical contexts. This is an African take. In most of our African cultures, storytelling is the most effective way to learn and pass down information.” The poet said that specific projects, like ‘Rwanda is Not Hotel Rwanda,’ are part of her solution to the problems she encounters. She questioned, “If Rwanda is not ‘Hotel Rwanda,’ what am I doing about it? Will I just complain about the film? Or will I create my own work of art to counter that narrative and preserve truth and history?” She added, “Genocide denial is the 10th stage of a Genocide, and for Rwanda, this is the painful stage at which we find ourselves. We need a work of art that can stand in the face of Genocide denial as a testament of truth.” The poet hopes that everyone listening can feel the range of human emotions—fear, exhaustion, devastation, healing, reconciliation, and thriving. ‘Rhymes of Remembrance’ is available on all major streaming platforms.
