Travel Guide Giheta – Gishora

Among the many areas of tambourinaires that Burundi included in the royal era, two are leaving the ordinary in the region between Gitega and Mugera, and continue to be of importance today: . and Higiro.Gishora, located 8 km north of Gitega, in Giheta, is the best known site since its troupe, led by the famous Antime Barancakaje, now very old, has popularized the sound and gestural of the batimbo.In the past, this site contained a sanctuary where the sacred drums Ruciteme («the One for whom one is débrousse») and Mirimirwa («the one for whom we cultivate») were preserved. They were supposed to have been entrusted to the batimbo of Gishora by the founding king Ntare but, in reality, it, they had to be regularly re-manufactured. The latter were under the control of Mutaga (1908-1915). We could still see them in the early 1990 s, in the hut that served them as shelter, but this is no longer the case, contrary to what some sometimes say.Information about Higiro is provided in the section «See, to do» in the city of Gitega.From Gitega to Giheta, access to Gishora is easy: One can take the track that leaves Giheta (7 km), which is a little less difficult which leaves left of the RN 15 north of Gitega (7-8 km). With a financial arrangement, vehicles can be found.But you should not be able to admire the shrines and old drums in their original surroundings… Only a few sacred groves still mark the old sites, with large trees more than hundred years old, and the drums in the reconstituted sanctuary are recent bills. On the other hand, it is not safe to find the batimbo on the spot. If you really want to see their performance, you'll need to make an appointment beforehand or find out about the nearby festivities. Indeed, troops often occur in the region during various celebrations (Giheta, Gitega National Museum, Mugera, etc.), and it may be more appropriate to go to them than on their original sites. One solution is to contact those responsible for the parish of that locality.