If there are creatives enjoying a quick and commendable rise to the global scene, Iteka Drummers maybe one of them. You would tell how they have gone just three months since the group’s inception. Founded in March 2025, Iteka Drummers is a vibrant cultural initiative bringing together young Rwandan and Burundian artists passionate about preserving and celebrating the sacred drum traditions of the two nations. At its core, the group is more than just a performance ensemble, it’s a movement rooted in identity, unity, and youth empowerment. The drumming collective was born out of the vision of Iteka Youth Organisation, a non-profit entity committed to advancing the well-being of young people through culture, arts, education, and social development. Iteka Drummers was born out of the idea from founder Yannick Niyonzima, a professional Burundian drum artist. To bring this vision to life, Niyonzima pushed the idea through Yan Events, an entertainment and event company that he established in 2018. On that note, Niyonzima says the idea behind Iteka Drummers was inspired by the broader mission of his organization to uplift East African youth by reconnecting them with their cultural heritage and encouraging them to use art as a pathway to self-discovery and development. “The initiative brings together talented young individuals who share a deep connection to the region’s traditions and a passion for storytelling through rhythm,” he told The New Times. Guided by three foundational pillars—entrepreneurship, heritage preservation and civic engagement through arts—the group aims to reawaken cultural pride and transform it into a force for unity, creativity, and progress. Though still in its early stages, Iteka Drummers has already made notable strides. In addition to energizing local weddings and cultural ceremonies in Rwanda, many of its members have years of experience in traditional drumming and have graced prestigious international stages. This depth of experience enables the group to deliver performances that are not only technically impressive but also rich in meaning, history, and cultural reverence. Currently composed of 20 members, Iteka Drummers has quickly captured the attention of cultural institutions and audiences alike. The group’s growing reputation led to a major milestone when they were invited to participate in the 2025 Salon International du Contenu Audiovisuel (SICA) in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, last week. The invitation came from ORUN Studio, in partnership with Africa Currency Network (ACN), who discovered the group through their work with Iteka Youth Organisation. Recognizing the group’s unique cultural voice and artistic depth, the partners selected Iteka Drummers to represent African storytelling and traditional performance at the continental showcase. The invitation sparked collaborative planning between ORUN Studio, ACN, and Yan Events to facilitate the group’s presence at the event. “This opportunity reaffirmed that our talents matter. SICA 2025 gives us the international platform to share our art and represent a generation that’s using culture to connect, empower, and grow. It has given us new confidence to push boundaries,” Niyonzima said. The future? “Our long-term vision is to form a global collective of tradition-based artists, fostering cross-cultural connections and development through art. We dream to become ambassadors of African culture, not just performing it, but interpreting it in ways that promote healing, resilience, and economic opportunity.” The group also plans to expand into cultural tourism, turning their performances, workshops, and historical narratives into vehicles for both cultural preservation and sustainable development.
