This week on February 21st, the world will celebrate the ‘International Mother Language Day’. Not many people know about this day, yet it’s important. This I bet, is another discovery we should remember each year. Let’s take a look at our country Rwanda. Have you ever asked yourself why it’s called ‘The Land of a Thousand Hills’ or why Rwanda has its own culture? Rwanda is Rwanda because its culture is unique. As you read, come to terms with the various aspects of our culture. These include the mother language—Kinyarwanda, the dress code, food, poems, rhymes, dance, songs and other traditions. Rwanda as a country is unique because of these aspects. When God created beautiful Rwanda, he had all this in mind. Like any other country with its cultures, Rwanda has learnt to preserve what it has. This has made the country a tourist attraction because of the beautiful landscape and people of Rwanda. I am sure God had an important purpose for Rwandans when he gave them their culture. Rwandan’s can use their culture to help one another and other people as well. We all have the responsibility to look after our culture. When we protect our traditions and cultural values, we begin to enjoy and be thankful for the beauty that culture brings us. Our parents and grandparents have taught us to appreciate what we have and not destroy it. If you grow up loving your culture, you cannot destroy it. It is what makes you who you are, culture is you identity. That is why when you speak Kinyarwanda, or wear a mushanana in a foreign land, everyone will know that you are from Rwanda. If they do not understand what you are saying or wearing, they will ask you about your origins. That’s when you say that you are from Rwanda. Children should learn to love, enjoy, appreciate and protect their culture. This week as we celebrate the ‘International Mother Language Day,’ I encourage all children not to forget Kinyarwanda and for those who cannot speak it, to learn how to speak it. Ends
