Beyond myth: The story of Mirenge, Rwanda’s pre-colonial tycoon

The story of Mirenge is not widely documented in historical records. It is unfortunate that the life of this notable figure—regarded as the wealthiest man in Rwandan history—is not featured in available historical accounts. His legacy could serve as a source of inspiration for future generations and as evidence supporting the premise that farming can lead to wealth, just like other economic activities. At first, Mirenge’s story may seem mythical and hard to believe. However, it is not a legend, but the true account of a Rwandan patriarch whose presence still resonates across the hills of Ntenyo, in Byimana Sector, Ruhango District. ALSO READ: How Rwanda’s pre-colonial Kings shaped its borders Mirenge is renowned for his immense wealth. He is widely regarded as the wealthiest Rwandan of the pre-colonial era, known for his vast agricultural lands and large-scale livestock farming. While some assert that he may have been the richest Rwandan of all time, we prefer to recognize his status within the context of his era—acknowledging that, in modern times, there may be Rwandans whose wealth surpasses his. Rwandan academic, author, songwriter, and poet, Cyprien Rugamba, referenced Mirenge in his well-known song “Icyifuzo” (the wish). In the lyrics, Rugamba says: “Uwampa kurusha ubukire Mirenge ku Ntenyo,” which translates to “If only I could be richer than Mirenge of Ntenyo.” This line reflects the enduring legacy of Mirenge's wealth and influence in Rwandan cultural memory. If you ask colonial-era scholars who Mirenge of Ntenyo was, they will likely tell you he was a Tutsi. According to their narrative, in pre-colonial Rwanda, the Hutu were systematically oppressed and therefore incapable of producing the wealthiest individual in the Kingdom of Rwanda. But this raises an important question: Who was Mirenge, really? If you’ve been following this column, you already know that we reject the labels of ‘Tutsi’ and ‘Hutu’ as they were defined and imposed by colonialism. In one of our previous articles, “The distortion of Mashira's story: Colonialism's greatest crime in Rwanda,” we explored how the deep-rooted unity among Rwandans was deliberately undermined by a colonial project aimed at severing people from their ancestral identity. It was colonialism that categorized Rwandans as ‘Hutu’ and ‘Tutsi’. Mirenge was neither ‘Hutu’ nor ‘Tutsi’. He was an Umubanda—a descendant of Kibanda, son of Mashira, son of Nkuba, son of Sabugabo, son of Gihanga, the founding father of Rwanda. Let us explore who Mirenge truly was, and how he accumulated his wealth to become the richest Rwandan of the pre-colonial era. Mirenge is a genuine historical figure in Rwanda’s history—not a myth or a fictional character. He was born in Rwankeri, in Musanze District, Northern Province. According to historians, he lived at the beginning of the 19th century, during the reign of King Yuhi IV Gahindiro. After reaching adulthood, Mirenge relocated to Ntenyo, in what is now Ruhango District, where his legacy would later take root. In fact, Mirenge didn’t simply move to Ntenyo—he returned to his ancestral land. According to Dismas Nyatanyi, a royal poet at the Palace in Nyanza during the reign of King Musinga, Mirenge’s forefathers belonged to the Ababanda lineage. Nyatanyi, who later returned to Kigombe in Musanze following the deportation of King Musinga, recalled that although Mirenge was born in Rwankeri, his true origin was “Nduga y’Ababanda.” It is likely that, upon learning of his ancestral roots in Nduga, Mirenge decided to return to the land of his forefathers. Leaving Rwankeri, he brought with him a number of servants and maids, and settled in Ntenyo. According to oral history, among those who accompanied him was his son-in-law, Ngunda—a man known not only for his strength and dedication, but also for his remarkable appetite. It is said that Ngunda once ploughed an entire hill by himself in a single day, all while eating as he worked. Upon arriving in Ntenyo, Mirenge immediately began agricultural activities, cultivating a variety of cereal grains such as beans, wheat, sorghum, and maize. According to oral history, these crops could be seen growing across the hills of Ntenyo, Mayunzwe, Kirengeri, Tambwe, and Buhoro throughout the year. Mirenge also raised a variety of domestic animals including large herds of cows, sheep, and goats. In addition to the servants and maids who travelled with him from Rwankeri, he employed a local workforce to help manage both his agricultural fields and livestock, ensuring the smooth operation of his extensive holdings. This enabled Mirenge to accumulate substantial wealth, storing his harvests in numerous warehouses to ensure a consistent and reliable food supply. His warehouses remained stocked throughout the year. During times of famine, the people living in and around Ntenyo were sustained by food from Mirenge’s warehouses. This is one of the reasons he is remembered as one of the most generous individuals of his time. During the reign of King Yuhi IV Gahindiro, Mirenge played a crucial role in supporting the population during the Rukungugu famine, which occurred in 1802. According to historian Alexis Kagame, in his book, Un Abrégé de l’Histoire du Rwanda, the Rukungugu famine lasted for an entire year. Since 2015, members of the Coopérative de Manœuvre pour l'Éradication de la Pauvreté (COMEP) in Ntenyo have undertaken the renovation of “Ku Mugina w’Imvuzo,” a historic site where Mirenge’s servants once disposed of livestock dung. The initiative aims to preserve the area's rich history and educate visitors about its significance. Members of the cooperative fenced the site with bamboo and planted flowers to enhance its appearance, turning it into a place of both historical and cultural value. They are also planning to build a traditional Rwandan house on the site in the near future, as a way to immortalize the legacy of this great patriarch. Such initiatives are vital in preserving Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage. It is important for the government to support individuals and community groups actively working to protect and preserve historical sites. This support is crucial to safeguard these sites for future generations, ensuring that the stories of figures like Mirenge of Ntenyo are not forgotten.

Opinions

Beyond myth: The story of Mirenge, Rwanda’s pre-colonial tycoon