The Touch: For the love of Rwanda

Here in the Touch we have had our own share of great moments, we have had a privilege to go through different fashion and styles. This month though we take time to commemorate the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. To appreciate the steps that our country has made, to embrace the country we can now all call home. To celebrate the work that has been done and continues to be done and to wear the regalia that make us who we are. Because we are one people united in the achievements of our unity, binded by our history and inspired by our future that is linked in our patriotism. We take time to explore the beauty and perfection that make us proudly Rwandan. There is no clothing that we can wear to express our love for our country.Umshanana however comes close. We love our umshanana-our imyitero and its uniqueness to our people and country. It’s our own unique elegance. The umushanana stands unique for its exquisite style, décor and design. It’s a traditional yet modern outfit that expresses and extenuates the beauty of a Rwandan woman. When we wear it we know it reflects who we are. It expresses our traditions and our love for the fashion our forefathers wore before us. It’s great to know that other people look to us and covet what seems as old fashioned and old. Umshanana is uniquely us and a fabulous contribution to the fashion world. In truth national identity is engraved deeper than what we wear, deeper than our skin. National identity starts in our own belief in the possibility of our country. In the believe of perfect peace that comes from our insistence on brotherhood that is in our common traditions, language and culture. We may have a national dress, a national dance but the people hold the key to our unity. We all need to choose to believe in what our clothing represent. We are more than what we wear. We are the Rwandan people, beautiful, execelent in all ways, elegant and peaceful. United as we walk towards limitless possibility. So this week as we mourn and commemorate the genocide against Tutsis we will hold our heads high, dress up in our Umshanana as we remember and appreciate those before us. Those whose clothes we now wear. Those who bore us into this country. We will not be sad, we will be strengthened by our ascheivements, encouraged by our brotherhood and fueled by the love we have for our country, our Rwanda. Me and you for the love of Rwanda. Email pgathoni@gmail.com