KING'S PALACE MUSEUM

Very interesting, and the children will enjoy it as well! In ancient times, Nyanza was the seat of the monarchy. It was here that the German colonizer came to visit the mwami at the end of the 19th century. The traditional mwami's palace has been reconstructed, as well as two other huts. The mwami's palace, made of papyrus and thatch, had several rooms, including a ladies' room (the mwami was polygamous) and a brazier in the middle of the hut to chase away insects and keep warm!

In a nearby enclosure, nicely decorated Inyambo royal cows were admired by visitors. This breed is bred neither for its milk nor for its meat, just for its all-bovine aesthetic! The cows have of course each their own pretty name.

Next to the reconstructed huts is the new palace, built in 1932 for the mwami Mutara III. From 1975 until the genocide it housed the National Ballet of Rwanda. During the genocide, the palace remained intact, but the furniture was stolen, including the mwami's bed, and it is with great difficulty that the state is trying to recover some pieces, such as these two chairs found in Butare or the king's wardrobe. The fireplaces and ceilings are decorated with typical Rwandan motifs. In one room, maps show that ancient Rwanda extended far beyond its current borders. On the other hill opposite, a new palace was built but the mwami died before he could settle there. Today it is the National Art Gallery (formerly the Rwesero Arts Museum).