The awaited Inka Concert by Inyamibwa Cultural Troupe is set to be more than just a one-night event, as the troupe takes its cultural showcase beyond Kigali. After the March 15 performance at Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (KCEV), the group will head to Huye on March 29 before taking the show beyond the borders to Kampala in late May, with more destinations expected to be announced. According to Inyamibwa director Rodrigue Rusagara, this tour marks a new era for their annual concerts, bringing Rwandan cultural heritage to a wider audience while emphasizing the deep-rooted connection between Rwandans and cows. “This cultural night will highlight the significance of cows in Rwandan traditions, emphasizing values of sharing, unity, blessings, and heritage passed down through generations. Cows hold a sacred place in Rwandan culture, symbolizing wealth, prosperity, and social ties,” Ruasagara told journalists during a press conference on Wednesday. “This is our fifth annual concert, and we are taking it to the next level. Our stage setup will be unique, and the performances will showcase new skills with over 200 dancers.” The previous edition of the concert took place at BK Arena but the troupe decided this time to shift it to KCEV. It was alleged that the shift from BK Arena was not due to losses faced at the venue. However, Rusagara dismissed the claims, saying, “There were no losses; in fact, we made a significant profit.” Explaining the shift from BK Arena, Rusagara clarified that their previous concert celebrated Rwanda’s 30-year achievements, making the arena a fitting venue. He explained that ‘Inka’ has a different meaning, which aligns better with Camp Kigali’s atmosphere. “Our concerts always have themes that shape our venue choices. Even if we couldn’t fill BK Arena to its full capacity, its significance matched our previous theme making Arena our go to. Now, for ‘Inka’, we are creating an entirely different experience,” he said. A staggering Rwf 89 million budget was allocated to ‘Inka Concert,’ according to organisers, costumes alone cost the troupe Rwf 20 million. Each performance will feature over 12 costume changes, ensuring a fresh and visually stunning experience. “So all this indicates that this concert we will nothing but good memories for Rwandans.” Additionally, the concert will be streamed live, with attendees required to register in advance via www.irebero.com.
