Rwanda's culture embodies the strength of its people

Often known as the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills,’ Rwanda can also be seen as the land of endless hopes. A visit here is truly inspiring: Rwanda's narrative is one of determination, resilience, and remarkable renewal after tragedy.

Emerging from the devastation of the 1994 Civil War and the subsequent Genocide Against the Tutsi, Rwanda has transformed over the past thirty years into one of the continent's cleanest, safest, and most economically progressive nations, bridging ethnic divides, combating poaching, and laying down a sustainable development framework for others to emulate.

Commemorating and rebuilding

In the aftermath of the Genocide Against the Tutsi, Rwanda had to reconstruct itself from the ground up. Established in 2009, the Rwanda Development Board is responsible for enhancing tourism, environmental preservation, foreign investment, and overall economic growth. The advantage of starting anew was the ability to pursue bold and ambitious initiatives without hesitation.

In Gisozi, just outside central Kigali, a serene, tree-lined street sets a reflective tone. A sign reads: “We can all be champions of humanity by standing against division wherever we live.” This is the Kigali Genocide Memorial, a museum that presents a harrowing account of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda as well as other genocides globally. More than 250,000 individuals are laid to rest on the museum grounds; survivors have sought solace here for years.

The gacaca practice, a traditional community court system that was already part of Rwandan culture for resolving local disputes, was instrumental in the healing process. For over a decade, gacaca courts convened weekly in villages across the nation, allowing communities to confront the accused, share their experiences, and recount the events. Although not without flaws, gacaca remains one of the most extensive and comprehensive post-conflict justice initiatives worldwide, fostering truth, justice, and ultimately, reconciliation.

Umuganda and Rwandan Heritage

A brief drive from Gisozi to Butare offers deeper insight into Rwandan culture. The Ethnographic Museum boasts one of Africa's finest ethnographic collections, highlighting the traditions of pre-colonial life in Rwanda.

The museum elaborates on the concept of umuganda, which translates from Kinyarwanda as “coming together with a shared goal to achieve a result.” Umuganda involves seeking assistance from family, friends, and neighbors to tackle challenging tasks and was reintroduced in Rwandan society following the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi to aid in rebuilding the nation.

Today, umuganda is designated as a day on the calendar, occurring on the last Saturday of each month, and visitors are encouraged to join in. On this day, entire communities unite to engage in volunteer activities such as cleaning streets, repairing public facilities, constructing homes for those in need, and more.

The King’s Palace Museum located just outside Kigali offers a glimpse into the era of Rwandan royalty, featuring reconstructions of traditional royal homes, insights into the majestic Inyambo—long-horned cattle raised specifically for royal ceremonies—and even demonstrations of these cows fulfilling their ceremonial roles.

From Poaching to Conservation

Nestled in northwest Rwanda, Volcanoes National Park embraces the slopes of the Virunga massif, a majestic range of eight towering volcanoes that stretches across Rwanda, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This national park is renowned for its endangered mountain gorillas—Rwanda is globally celebrated for its silverbacks, and for good reason: according to the African Wildlife Foundation, it is the only great ape species worldwide currently experiencing population growth.

Although gorilla populations are recovering now, the conservation efforts at Volcanoes National Park could have taken a very different turn without the establishment of the Gorilla Guardians Village, which redirected former poachers onto a more positive path.

Thanks to local community support, the Gorilla Guardians Village initiative began hiring ex-poachers in 2004, leading to a remarkable transformation. Visitors to Volcanoes National Park can engage with Rwandan traditional dance, cuisine, and crafts, purchase souvenirs, and hear the inspiring stories of those who transitioned from hunters to protectors of the wildlife they once pursued.

“I used to be a hunter before joining the Gorilla Guardians Village,” shares Kabatsi Felicien, a former poacher turned musician who plays the inanga, a traditional string instrument. “Now, I am a musician. I don’t hunt animals anymore; I focus on protecting the forest. I share these stories with tourists from around the globe, and they leave with memories of Rwanda’s traditional music,”

The vibrant arts scene of Kigali

In Kigali, a remarkable story of hope has emerged at the Nyamirambo Women’s Center. Founded in 2007 by a group of women from Nyamirambo, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, this non-profit initiative aimed to combat gender-based violence, inequality, and discrimination while empowering local women. Today, it has evolved into a self-sustaining organization offering artisan products crafted from traditional kitenge fabric, walking tours in Nyamirambo, cooking classes at local homes, and more.

“Art is essential for the development of this city,” states Emmanuel Nkuranga, a self-taught painter and co-founder of the Inema Arts Center. This dynamic art gallery and creative hub in Kigali provides community art classes, artist-in-residence programs for emerging Rwandan talent, and a platform for the flourishing creative sector. With nearly a decade of leadership alongside his brother Innocent Nkurunziza, Nkuranga recently opened Choose Kigali, a multi-level venue in the city center showcasing contemporary African art and offering unique artist-led experiences such as helicopter-painting adventures or guided tours of Kigali’s vibrant creative landscape.

Founded by Rwandan artist Pacifique Niyonsenga, the Niyo Arts Center & Café supports 17 resident artists in the central Kacyiru area of Kigali. The gallery regularly hosts exhibitions featuring contemporary African art, as well as music and dance performances, with 40 percent of profits benefiting the Niyo Foundation, an organization focused on alleviating poverty among women and children.

“When people think of Rwanda, they often recall our history of genocide,” Nkuranga reflects. “But once you arrive, you witness color and beauty. You discover that Rwanda is far more than what the news portrays.”

He remarks, “This is our purpose for being here.”