Traditional artistes including fast rising Ruti Joel, poet Rumaga Junior, Jabo Ignace, Inyamibwa Cultural Band and Shauku Band thrilled fans with Rwanda’s rich culture featuring mesmerizing array of traditional elements that left attendees enthralled. Organised by MA Africa, the debut show held on November 24, at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (KCEV), featured various cultural elements such as traditional dishes with a touch of Gakondo culture. People enjoyed roasted maize, sweet potatoes, boiled beans, unpeeled potatoes, cooked sorghum, and many others, all prepared by Chef Emma real name Emmanuel Ngayaboshya. They also tasted dishes like banana, pumpkin leaves, tomatoes, and roasted meat. ALSO READ: Rumaga, Ruti Joel to perform at Kigali Kulture Konnect concert As the clock hit 7:00 pm, the show commenced with Jabo Gakondo's enchanting performance on traditional instruments, setting the stage for an immersive journey into Rwanda's musical heritage. Jabo, known for his latest album ‘Hiinga’, captivated the audience with traditional singles like ‘Hiinga,’ ‘Urwandiko’, ‘Ijyanire’ to mention but a few. Next was AERG Inyamibwa troupe who danced like no one was watching. The vibes echoed through the venue, presenting different dancing styles including ‘Gushakamba’, ‘Amaraba’, ‘Ikinimba’, and others all preserving the essence of Rwandan cultural dances. Their performances made a couple of turns with their captivating display by Boys & Boys, connecting traditional dance styles, while thrilling the audience with each turn. ALSO READ: Inyamibwa Cultural Troupe to mark 25 years in concert The ambiance gained momentum as poet Rumaga took center stage, accompanied by the Shauku band, performing poems like ‘Umugore si Umuntu’, and ‘Intango y’ubumwe’ Still on stage, he was joined by Patrick Rusine, a renowned comedian with his drunk-inspired jokes. Together they graced the stage with ‘Intambara y’Ibinyobwa’ (Drinking lifestyle choices). The addition of the comedian brought humour and skill to the performance, and the audience couldn’t hold back their laughter, adding more excitement to the show. While on the same track, Shauku Band established in 2020, also performed a couple of popular songs deeply rooted in early Rwandan culture. Some of these include well-known songs like ‘Kabanyana k’abokwe’ composed by Liberata Kabanyana, ‘Zana inzoga’ by Sebatunzi, among others. ALSO READ: Rumaga’s ‘Mawe’ album launch impresses fans at Siga Rwanda Concert Rounding off the night, Ruti Joel, a maestro in blending tradition with modernity, took the audience on a musical voyage. With resonating tunes like ‘Amaliza’, ‘Mwiza’, ‘Cunda’, ‘Igikobwa’ and ‘Oya’, a rendition song by Yvan Buravan, expressing a heartfelt tribute to the late singer. As the night unfolded with the ‘Musomandera’ Ruti Joel’s energetic performance kept the audience dancing till the late hours. The show ended at midnight.
