How to distinguish the Rwandan Woman

“If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything,” goes the adage. Likewise, if one can’t embrace their culture, one will take up everything, some of which might be morally wrong. Some may call it stereotype or whatever but there is always that one thing about a person that reveals their culture. It could be the way one speaks or dresses to the way one eats and conducts oneself. That small thing will give someone a hint of where you come from. We can’t deny the fact that sometimes these little details could be negative...after all we are all far from perfect! Well, that doesn’t give one leeway to practice their negative cultural aspects. There may not be proper words that aptly describe a Rwandan woman but some things will always make her stand out. There are particular behaviors and character that are only familiar with the Rwandan woman regardless of which part of the globe she could be. “The exquisiteness of a Rwandan woman speaks for itself. I have been to many countries and Rwandan women are famous for their beauty. Beauty could have so many definitions but people will always assume that if a lady is beautiful, then she must be Rwandan.They are usually tall, finely shaped and with a great skin complexion,” Edwin Byaruhanga, a Ugandan working in Rwanda. According to Gatsinzi Caroline, a resident of Kimironko, Rwandan women are friendly and hospitable. They love to be there for one another. ‘If you meet in another country, they will host and treat you like real family,’ she says. Gatsinzi adds that the way of greeting also helps identify a Rwandan woman. Those that still embrace our culture greet with a warm hug and peck on the cheek. “Rwandan women are so proud of their traditional wear. While other women opt for the designer labeled clothes, the Rwandan lady will be clad in her ‘mushanana’ at any function, be it a wedding, baptism or even church service,” Chantal Mutamba,a 24 year old resident of Kabeeza. “There is this unique way Rwandan women shape their eyebrows that is only known to them. I have been to many countries but have only seen it with Rwandan women,”Uwase Dancilla, a Rwandan studying in Malaysia. There could be a few negative traits that also identify a Rwandan woman but thou shall not bite the hand that feeds thee!! Why delve into the ugly bit yet the Rwandan woman has fed us and been a source of inspiration in shaping us as a nation? m.kaitesi@yahoo.com