Travel
Rwandan Dance
When it comes to African customs and traditions, music and dance play an important role. Songs were sung and dances were done as a sort of celebration for practically everything that transpired in any particular society. Marriages, naming rituals, harvests, funerals and childbirth, community and family gatherings were only a few of the events. During these events, families and communities gathered and celebrated by sharing tales, eating and drinking together, and playing games.
Music and dancing lighten and brighten practically every occasion in Rwanda, both for local inhabitants and international visitors. Today, tourism is a significant component that has contributed to and continues to contribute to the performers of these songs and dances being a popular pastime in Rwanda. A number of hotels and lodging establishments offer traditional dance troupes that entertain visitors primarily in the afternoon or evening. A Rwandan traditional dancing ensemble consists of dancers and a band of roughly 5-7 persons that sing melodiously with soul-stirring rhythms.
This Rwandan dance is performed by all three tribal groups in Rwanda. Many modern audiences participate by clapping their hands in time with the drumming, which provides the dancers motivation to keep performing with enthusiasm and intensity.
Umushayayo/ Umushangiriro.
This Rwandan dance is also known as the women’s dance. Unlike the men’s, this one is far more delicate and compassionate, making it an exceptional dance in Africa. Women do a languid movement in this dance that depicts purity, brilliance, benevolence, and friendliness, not to mention the beauty of the African lady. The Ankole cattle movement inspired this dance.
Ukurambagiza
COURTSHIP DANCE
Unmarried ladies are permitted to join in this dance until their husbands take them away. This Rwandan dance is also known as the Fiancé Dance (Ukurambagiza). This allows their beauty to shine through in their dance and movements. This dance depicts some of the bird’s rituals, such as the Grey Crested Crane’s mating dance, which is a pleasant dance to watch
Umuganura
Communities gather here to celebrate the first harvest. They congregate to enjoy the results of their labor, eat, drink, and down local brew. The women dress up in festive clothes and dance in celebration of the heavenly being who delivered an abundant crop. During this time, blessings are also offered for the seeds that will be sown the next season. These are only a few of the various dances that were and still are performed in Rwanda. In these traditional performances, instruments such as the Inanga (a guitar-like musical instrument), Ingoma (a drum), Umuduli (a bow-like instrument with only one string), and Amakondera are utilized (a horn). With them, your ears will be treated to the sounds of lovely traditional Rwandan music.
The Royal Drummers
The drummers are thirteen in number because the number (13) has always been associated with royal authority. Drumming was historically done by males on ingoma drums. These drums were incredibly essential since they signaled the King’s arrival and also served as a channel of communication between the King and his subjects and allies. Royal drummers held considerable prominence in the King’s court as a result of their function.
inganji dance troupe
The name ‘inganji’ indicates war triumph in Kinyarwanda. The inganji dance troupe consists of approximately 45 Rwandese artists who excel in drama, music, and dance. Their purpose as a group is to conserve, educate, entertain, and convey Rwanda’s rich culture and legacy via song and dance. Their Rwandan dance routines are evocative of life in royal courts, as performed by their forebears. The Inganji dance ensemble is made up of students from several Kigali districts and other parts of Rwanda.
The ensemble began performing at Rwandan weddings, then moved on to local and foreign markets. We had a successful presentation at the China Trade Fair in July 2007, as well as another in the Republic of Congo in September 2012. They played at the World Cup Opening Ceremony in South Africa in 2008. As one of the most well-known dance troupes in the nation, we have created a new cultural tour for individuals who want to come and experience Rwandan culture via music and dance from different sections of the country: East, West, North, and South.
The concert opens with drums, then “Umushagiriro”, followed by the “the dance of fiancés”. Following then, the “Intore dance” depicts the victorious return of the soldiers
Intore Dance group
Since 2004, the Intore Dance Troupe has performed at Volcanoes Safaris’ Virunga Lodge in Rwanda. The ensemble consists of 24 dancers and two dance instructors.
For Volcanoes Safaris guests, the company performs The Intore, popularly known as “The Heroes,” a classic Rwandan ballet based on the courtly victory dance of the Rwandan Mwami (kings). Being chosen as an Intore was a tremendous honor in the past; they would get a superior education, extensive martial training, and a high rank within the court. The Rwandan dancers now employ ancient weaponry like as spears and arrows, as well as brilliantly colored clothing and long flowing white hairpieces.
