‘My Voice’, a combination of various Gakondo touches on February 23 saw its debut edition aimed at instilling a sense of pride in the youth, urging them to become the front liners and catalysts of a future steeped in Rwandan values.
The nostalgic cultural evening, held at Isibo Icyerekezo (Vision City), came to light in collaboration with Kwetu Films and Sauti Arts, to celebrate Rwandan culture through art, cinema and traditional dance under the theme: "Together let’s build tomorrow’s Rwanda characterized by Rwandan values”.
The event served as the earlier family traditional performances (Gutarama) where parents could teach their children about the ancestral initiations, in particular, the do’s, the don’ts and more.
Inspired by Gakondo decor, the event drew an enthusiastic crowd of young people eager to partake in the cultural showcase, its roots, historical moments worth celebrating.
The night started with an engrossing traditional dance followed by a heartwarming performance of children from the ‘Root Foundation’, a local nonprofit organization providing education and artistic talents from vulnerable families.
Theo Mushabizi, the Inanga performer, graced the stage with his performance of renowned song ‘Nyirabisabo’ commonly known as ‘Zana Inzoga Nzane Iyindi’ and the tales of ‘Rugombituri’, evoking a strong sense of Rwandan nostalgia.
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The performances set the stage for a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring iconic traditional singer Mariya Yohana, Kalisa Rugano, one of Rwanda’s finest cultural artistes, Divine Ingabire – founder of ‘I Matter Initiative’, and Francois Duniya, the Director of Root Foundation.
The panel explored a significant role of traditional artistry in rebuilding the nation, while emphasizing the importance of nurturing young minds to uphold Rwandan values. On the spot, civic education emerged as a central theme, urging the youth to follow in the national heroes’ footsteps and contribute to the nation’s development.
Mariya Yohana, for instance, shed light on the role of a young woman in Rwanda, while Kalisa Rugano passionately addressed the responsibility of young men in shaping the country’s policy and future.
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"A girl’s ability to present herself well in public is influenced by her family’, Mariya Yohana said. "Parents should always prioritize the importance of making a strong friendship with their children and, when it comes to their daughters, they should strive to make them their best friends.”
The ‘Intsinzi’ singer emphasizes that this friendship is important because it shapes the child’s moral behavior from a young age.
While parents may not impart every aspect of themselves, she said, the foundation of good values aligns with the parental influence, guiding the child in their development.
"Having a morally upright daughter who inherits these values from home is important since it shapes their future parental capabilities. Such a situation is considered valuable, and every parent should take pride in nurturing a child with a strong moral foundation,” she added.
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On the other hand, Rugano affirmed that, for an individual to seek an acceptance in palace in earlier days, is determined by the behavior.
"We are here because of our distinct unique culture,” Rugano said.
"Culture serves as harmonizing aspect, promoting coexistence and love one another. If we could embrace it, no one would love to see others suffering.”
"We want you to know Rwanda very well. The origin, its presence and where it is heading.”
However, while observing various traditional dance troupes, Jean Claude Mutabazi, the brains behind ‘My Voice,’ expressed his concern on a big number of adults who don’t show interested in learning about Rwandan culture anymore.
This led to the decision to focus on nurturing young people for the future to ensure that they possess a deep understanding of their country despite global influences.
"Our initial observation catered around absence of certain elements in traditional celebrations, with a noticeable shift towards youth participation. As the modern world advances, there is a concurrent reduction in the presence of Rwandan culture, often replaced or influenced by global trends.”
Therefore, he explained, the initiative began by engaging young people, aiming to prepare for future moments and sustain the pace of original culture amidst the impact of modern influences. The goal is to encourage youth to embrace their civic duty and become catalysts for positive change in Rwandan culture.