Exploring Rwanda’s museum and heritage
Known as a country of a thousand hills, Rwanda has one of the world’s richest diversified cultural heritages, with both intangible and tangible components including sites that offer an incomparable view on the beauty of the country giving visitors a platform to learn about Rwandan history, mythology and culture. Traveling through the eastern province provides a fascinating insight into valuable museums and heritage sites often located in beautiful countryside.
On the other hand Museums in Rwanda intend to revive the rich past as a way of promoting tourism, a sense of identity, and create awareness of who Rwandans what they really are. In 2007 there was only one museum in Rwanda which was called the national museum of Rwanda- located in former Butare province (a then Colonial capital) which is now Huye district in the southern province of Rwanda. However, the number of museums has grown from one in 2007 to six museums by 2013. Below are brief descriptions on some of the identified and valuable museums and heritage sites in Rwanda.
Ethnographic museum
This was built with help of the Belgian government. It first opened in 1989 and it is a good source of information on the cultural history of the country and the region. It is also known as the site of the murder of Queen Dowager Rosalie Gicanda and several others during the Rwandan Genocide. Ethnographic Museum is located in Huye, 132 km South of Kigali-Rwanda’s Capital. The Ethnographic Museum is one of the six museums that make up the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda. This Museum was built in 1987, and now houses one of Africa’s finest ethnographic collections. Its seven galleries display historical, ethnographic, artistic and archaeological artifacts accompanied by visual aides, giving visitors a rich insight into the culture of Rwandans.
King’s palace
The king’s palace is found in Nyanza, 88 km south of Kigali City; this was the residence of King Mutara III Rudahigwa and the Royal Palace that was traditionally built. This Palace offers a detailed look into Rwandan traditional seat of their monarchy, it is an impressive museum, restored to it’s 19th century state and made entirely with traditional materials. Recently the Long horned Traditional cows, known in Kinyarwanda as “Inyambo” were also introduced because of the fact that cows form an integral part of Rwandan Culture. On the neighboring hill of Mwima, one can also visit the burial grounds of King Mutara III and his wife Queen Rosalie Gicanda
Utubindi twa Rubona
This site is found within Rubona primary school premises. It is a cultural site located about 4 km from the main road Kayonza-Nyagatare; in Tubindi Village, Rubona Cell, Kiziguro Sector, and Gatsibo District. It is a cluster of seven excavations shaped like clay pots without necks and rims; excavated in a hard granite rock. Despite their different sizes, the form of those pits is almost the same: it is a clay pot-shaped form, thus the site name Utubindi; the latter being a Kinyarwanda name which means small pots. Therefore, if one is to translate that name, it will be “the small pots of Rubona”. These pots have interesting stories one shouldn’t miss while on this cultural tour.
Urutare rwa ngarama
Urutare rwa Ngarama is a cultural site located in Ngarama Sector, Gatsibo District; about 20 km from a place called Mu byapa bya Ngarama, on the main road Kigali-Nyagatare. It is an impressive rock covering a surface of about 3 hectares on which there are features attributed to a historical figure, King Ruganzu Ndoli. Some of those features are footprints and an area which, if hit using a stone or metal, does resonate. For local people and oral traditions, those features have been affixed there by Ruganzu and remain a sign of his incredible knowledge and greatness. The story behind it is so amazing.
National arts museum-rwesero
It is located across the valley from the Museum of Rwandan Ancient History and the Nyanza Royal Palace, the Rwesero Arts Museum displays contemporary artwork which testifies to the originality of Rwandan creativity, while not overlooking either tradition or national history. The pieces show the originality of Rwandan creativity and its rich history.
Ryamurari
Ryamurari is one of prominent archaeological sites in Great Lakes Africa and remains a famous feature in both Rwandan archaeology and oral traditions. It’s earthwork structures have apparently served as enclosures and, the size and direction of the labor force necessary to accomplish such work, together with the presence of abundant cattle remains, indicate the sign of cattle-keeping elite who told other people what to do. What is striking about Ryamurari are also its names which show a correlation between archaeology, oral traditions and history.
Rwanda is home to some of the best breathtaking museums and heritage sites that are the highlight of any visit. As custodians of culture, they offer a wide spectrum of cultural heritage catering for all tastes. Email us at (in**@*************is.com) to help and guide you explore these and many more amazing museums and heritage sites in Rwanda.
