Inyamibwa Cultural Troupe gracefully gave a 3-hour epic performance to thousands of people who turned up at BK Arena, on March 23. The highly anticipated concert was supposed to open at 6pm however rain delayed the arrival of some people. When it finally got to start at around 8 pm, fans were ready for a great show. Singers and dancers from the Ibihame troupe Impakanizi opened the concert with a tribute to the late Buravan, singing one of his songs ‘Gusakaara’, accompanied by dance moves which had the crowd chanting and cheering for the talented artist. At exactly 8:30pm things took a turn when President Paul Kagame and First lady Jeannette Kagame appeared at the Arena. The crowd couldn’t keep calm as they immediately began chanting with much excitement. The host of the show Lion Manzi took to stage to express the excitement and honor to have them at the concert. He said that the concert ‘ Inkuru ya 30’ wouldn’t have been complete without the person who played a big role to make sure liberation was achieved. Inyamibwa Cultural Troupe made their first appearance on stage at around 8:35 pm. From drums to music instruments and singers, they filled the room with great energy. At around 21:30 pm, they performed a play about a young refugee boy who has heard about Rwanda as his home. He asks his grandfather why they never went back home and replied that it was possible, but it required a hero. The play was performed between dance shows from Inyamibwa. The troupe performed different songs from back in the days when RPF was on a journey toliberate the country in 1994, hence the celebration after 30 years. The play showed the country’s progress over 30 years, the highlights and what the country has achieved like infrastructure, doctors, teachers, and farmers who support the development of the country. Some of the songs used to demonstrate the country’s journey in the 30 years were ‘Iya mbere ukwakira’, ‘ Iwacu’ by Cecile Kayirebwa, ‘Ndandambara’ and ‘Urugo ni Urukeye’ among others. The dazzling dances from the troupe amazed the fans who were shocked by how they kept the great energy till the end of the concert and how their delivery was one to remember. Inyamibwa successfully delivered an epic performance that was not just to entertain fans but also celebrate the liberation of the country through culture. Inyamibwa was founded in 1998 by a group of students members of the Genocide Survivors Students’ Association (AERG) at University of Rwanda with the aim of promoting the Rwandan culture through traditional dance.
