"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots,” Marcus Garvey, a black American publisher and journalist, once said.

In line with this saying, the National Institute of Museums in Rwanda (NIMR) has organised a two-week camp, dubbed "Holidays in Museums,” to help boys and girls acquire skills about the Rwandan culture, its history and traditions.

The aim is to help them grow with the Rwandan spirit and use it through their growth.

The camp, which started on Friday at the Ethnography Museum in Huye District, brought together over 150 children between 10 and 17.

Dressed in traditional attire and carrying traditional materials such as calabashes, baskets, among others, the girls and boys endured the scorching sun and participated in a carnival in Huye town to exhibit what they had learned in less than a week since they started their camp.

They are being trained in traditional dance and songs, art and crafts, basket weaving and making other ornaments by adding value compared to what used to be made traditionally, according to museums officials.

‘Firm foundation for tomorrow’

According to Jérôme Karangwa, museums director of research, the move aims at instilling the Rwandan culture, history and values among the young generation so that they grow up to become patriotic citizens.

Referring to the old adage that "bend a tree while it is still young,” Karangwa said that they prefer to engage the young generation as their memories are so fresh that they can learn a lot easily and in a short period.

"We want to prepare the young generation so that our museums would have people to manage them in the future, the teens we train show potential and talent to learn about our culture and history. We, therefore, believe that this would help them live well in the future,” said Karangwa.

He added that occupying them prevents the teens’ from distraction and diversion from non-important issues.

The children are trained in traditional dances, weaving, pottery, singing traditional songs, milk churning Kuvugira Inka, riddles, among other things that characterised the Rwanda traditional culture, they enjoy them and there is hope we shall have a better generation grounded in our culture,” he added.

NIMR organises such events during the long holidays in rotation among various museums in the country and hundreds of people have participated.

This year’s event was organised under the theme, "My Culture, My Pride”

Children who participated in the event said they are acquiring skills that will help them reflect on the Rwandan culture and traditions adding that they are eager to learn more and will use it to ensure that good culture and traditions are preserved.

"I am happy that I am among children being trained on Rwandan culture, history and traditions. I am learning how to dance and sing traditional songs, I am optimistic that this will help me in the future as I know many people who earn a living from traditional skills such as dancing and singing especially in weddings,” said Yves Nzeyimana, a-13-year-old Primary Five pupil.

Decenda Uwase, also 13, said she is learning how to make ornaments, dancing and singing and hopes the skills will make her a perfect woman.

"I usually like dancing but here I am learning how to do it professionally according to the Rwandan tradition. Besides, I am also learning how to make ornaments. I hope I can use these skills even in case I am not able to continue with ordinary education,” said Uwase.

"I hope that I will keep learning this and my dream is to work in museums so that we keep exhibiting our culture. I am ready to contribute to the growth and sustainability of our culture,” she added.

Chantal Mukamazimpaka, the museums’ head of traditional craft promotion unity, said there is a lot the young generation need to know about the Rwandan culture and traditions and the public, especially parents, should send children to museums to learn during holidays.

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