When Rwanda’s cultural music gripped revellers

Despite the penetration of the western culture, Rwandan culture has sustained its roots, attracting not only locals but also foreigners.Last Friday evening, Gakondo cultural group performed at Hotel Des Mille Colines in Kigali, to a mamoth crowd of mesmerised music lovers at the hotel’s bar, opposite the swimming pool. A huge crowd turned up, despite the heavy rain to see this impressive group perform live. Despite not knowing or understanding the language, foreigners at the show demonstrated their love for the country’s culture.“I don’t understand Kinyarwanda and I don’t know what these guys were singing, but I just love the Rwandan culture,” said U.S citizen Peter, one of the people who attended. “I have travelled around the country and I like the traditional music and outfits,” he added.Peter says that music is about creativity not plagiarism, which has besieged many African musicians. He urged them to emulate traditional artistes in order to revive what he called the true music.Headed by Intore Masamba, Gakondo group comprises eight members, who include Jules Sentore, Daniel Ngarukiye and Michel Ngabo, among others. The group uses traditional musical instruments to perform live music.“It’s the right time to restore our culture as Rwandans, because it doesn’t make sense for someone to use other people’s work and call it yours. What we are doing as a group is to revive our culture that is gradually deteriorating,” says Masamba.Some local musicians plagiarise music from foreign artistes and this has been widely seen as a dangerous trend that will dissuade the country’s local music industry. Gakondo group performs every Friday at Hôtel des Mille Collines from 6 pm to 9 pm.

Leisure

When Rwanda’s cultural music gripped revellers