Last Saturday, a group of Senior Six students from Green Hills Academy together with their staff visited a historical site in Gasabo District, a place where many believe Rwanda originated. 

Locally referred to as ‘Ku Giti Cya Gasabo’ or ‘Ku Musumba’, many legendaries and cultural experts have also declared the site ‘Rwanda Rugali Rwa Gasabo’, a term used to explain how Rwanda kept on expanding over the years, rooted from Ruganzu I Bwimba’s reign.

According to tradition, it is said that King Ruganzu I Bwimba, who’s credited for founding a kingdom in the Bwanacyambwe region in the 15th century, lived here. He ruled the kingdom from 1312 to 1345, and is one of the kings who sacrificed and shed blood to expand the country in what is culturally referred to as ‘Umutabazi w’umucengeri’.

Speaking during the visit, Gaspard Kagenza, the deputy head principal, said it is crucial for students to always visit cultural and historical places.

"This is the third time we’ve visited this place; our students are completing high school and many of them are going to continue their studies abroad. It is, therefore, very important to impart among them the ideal of patriotism and the need to preserve and uphold their cultural values which we think will help them now and in the future. When we come here, they learn more about our culture but more importantly the history of the nation since it is where Rwanda originated from, according to tradition,” he said.

While some students donned traditional attire (imishanana) for the first time, others got to experience various traditional games that were played in ancient times like bankoni, kunyabanwa, and urukirampende, to name a few. They also sang and danced to traditional music, and also shared local drinks and food. 

Kalisa Rugano, a historian and culture advocate, shared an inspirational speech about recapturing Rwanda’s illustrious history dating back to the reign of King Ruganzu I Bwimba. 

"The only message you need to go out with is to have that feeling of being proud of your country as Rwandans. You can’t have that pride when you don’t know your values, culture and history. The essence of going abroad is to know that there’s something you owe your country. You’re the people who will build it and, of course, take it where it should be,” Rugano told the students.

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STUDENTS SHARE  EXPERIENCES

Benitha Karangwa: We have learnt many things about the Rwandan culture that we didn’t know before. We are going to showcase our country’s culture abroad and make other people understand how special Rwanda is as a country.

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Benjamin Kubwimana: When you know where you come from, you’ll easily trace where you are going. We are proud that we have something to showcase in other countries, such as our values, history and a unique culture.

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Shivani Patel: I have learnt how people spent time back in the day. For instance, I didn’t know about the music that was played then,  but I’ve found it unique and interesting. This was a good time to learn more about our history.

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Landry Munyangeyo: As a Rwandan, I always feel excited to learn more about the culture and history of my nation. I started coming here when I was five, and I am always interested in learning more each day.

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Tihut Mbaye: I have learnt about how people were discriminated against and even killed along ethnic lines in Rwanda. It is a good experience to see how far Rwanda has come because it’s now a beautiful country.