Traditional music and dance
In Rwanda, music and traditional dance go hand in hand. The best representatives of this discipline in the country are the Intore dancers. Created centuries ago, the Intore troupe used to perform at court. Intore literally means "the chosen ones", as its members were selected from among the children of noble families. A fantastic concentrate of Rwandan culture, these Intore dances are also renowned for their majesty. Regulated and precise like the world's finest ballets, their choreography seems paradoxically free and spontaneous, evoking the epic battles of yore in their leaps, bulging chests and clenched fists on bows and spears. With their bare feet pounding the ground, their long-haired white headdresses beating and the tension of the drums, the show is as unique as it is unforgettable.
Another musical and choreographic tradition not to be missed in Rwanda, the Ikinimba is a dance recounting Rwandan heroes and illustrious characters, accompanied by traditional instruments. Performed by young unmarried women and men, it is part of the courtship ritual. Once married, women can no longer take part in the dance, unlike men.
Traditional music and dance are also taught in the amatorero( singular:itorero ), dance groups scattered throughout the country. The most famous of these is the Urukerereza National Ballet, which since the early 1970s has been selecting the country's best dancers to perform at all official events and represent Rwanda at international events.
Apart from the famous ingoma drum, which used to precede official announcements, Rwanda boasts a wide variety of traditional instruments: the shield-shaped zither(inanga), still very popular in the hills, the lobelia flute(umwirongi), the trumpets(amakondera), the old monochord of Ugandan origin(iningiri ) and introduced in the 1930s, the musical bow(umuduri), idiophones(ikembe), the calabash rattle(ikinyuguri), played during divination rites, bells attached to dancers' ankles(amayugi), and the lulunga, an eight-stringed harp-like instrument used to accompany song and dance. There are also flutes made from reed. As for the drums, each produces a different sound, depending on its size. Although there are no orchestras as such, drummers often band together. Most ceremonial dances are accompanied by an orchestra of seven to nine drums, producing an explosion of rhythms.
If ever there was a queen of traditional Rwandan music, it's Cécile Kayirebwa. Descended from a long line of artists, dancers, poets, storytellers and singers, she has continued to deepen her knowledge of traditional Rwandan culture throughout her career, to become one of its most famous ambassadors worldwide, as well as an icon for all generations of local artists.
An excellent address in the capital for a traditional music and dance performance is theInema Arts Center in Kacyiru. Founded in 2012 by two painter brothers, the center offers space for a dozen artists-in-residence who explore new avenues in different disciplines, and features quite a few folklore-related events. Otherwise, it's often hotels that program dance performances, such asHôtel des Mille Collines in Kigali or Red Rocks, located outside Ruhengeri.
Current Music
The genocide naturally had an impact on music production in Rwanda. But since the early 2000s, music has gradually returned to the country under the impetus of Rwandan youth, and new stars have emerged. These include Josiane Uwineza, better known as Miss Jojo, whose committed R&B is rich in political themes (women's conditions, AIDS, drugs, etc.). Beniwe, whose real name is Ben Kayiranga, finds his inspiration in traditional culture, such as the polyphonic songs of the Batwas. Originally from Gisenyi in Rwanda, he left his homeland with his family at the age of 17 to settle in France. A more recent success, Kamichi (born Adolphe Bagabo) is an increasingly popular Afrobeats and R&B artist, recognizable by his husky voice. These artists all share the influence of the legend Jean-Paul Samputu, a pillar of Rwandan music and one of the most popular African artists in the world.
In recent years, contemporary Rwandan music has evolved considerably, and many artists have set out to bridge the gap between past and present. It's a new wave in which young artists are knitting something new around their musical tradition and questioning Rwandan identity. Rising star Teta Diana is undoubtedly the proudest representative of this new scene, with her fusion of folk, jazz and Afro-pop and her magnificent timbre. Others include The Good Ones, an afro-folk trio featuring a member of each of the three tribes - Hutu, Tutsi and Abatwa - and singing in Kinyarwanda; Munyakazi Deo, a young inanga prodigy who aims to bring the instrument to the younger generation by blending it with modern music (mainly hip-hop and R&B); and Ineza Kerschkamp, a Belgian artist whose blend of jazz and soul touches on her Rwandan roots.
Other leading figures on today's music scene include : Meddy (Médard Jobert Ngabo), a true icon of Rwandan pop and R&B, one of the most popular artists, with titles such as Slowly or My Vow; Bruce Melodie, urban pop superstar; Riderman, a hip-hop singer, committed and popular, notably for his lyrics in Kinyarwanda; Knowless Butera, one of the most popular female singers, with a mix of pop, R&B and Afrobeat. Finally, " girl power" for Charly Na Nina (Muhoza Fatuma and Charlotte Rulinda), an all-female duo whose catchy songs blend Afro-pop and Rwandan influences are a hit.
In Kigali, it's always a good idea to stroll around Nyamirambo at the weekend. This district, an open-air temple to music, is an obligatory stopover for all Rwandan music stars - or those who dream of becoming one - and thus a concentrate of Rwanda's current musical production. Of course, the capital has its fair share of good venues, including L'Espace and the Repub Lounge in Kimihurura, a firm fixture on Kigali's nightlife scene.
