Suzanne Nyiranyamibwa, who died aged 83 on Friday, October 16, was a Rwandan singer whose music chronicled the country’s history, from the persecution that forced her into exile to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and the difficult work of rebuilding afterwards. Through songs such as Ese Mbaze Nde? Ndavunyisha and Nimuberwe Bakobwa, she became known for preserving Rwandan culture, supporting the liberation struggle and comforting survivors through music. ALSO READ: Singer Suzanne Nyiranyamibwa dies aged 83 Born in Rwanda in 1943, Nyiranyamibwa grew up in a family of nine children. Her life was marked by anti-Tutsi violence long before the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Her father, Phillip Karahamuheto, was killed during the violence of 1963, when the Tutsi were targeted in different parts of the country. In 1973, Nyiranyamibwa fled Rwanda with her husband as persecution of the Tutsi continued. She first settled in what was then Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo, where she lived for about 16 years before moving to Belgium. She and her husband had four children, but he died while the family was in exile. Nyiranyamibwa later settled in Brussels, where she raised her children and became involved in cultural activities among Rwandans living abroad. ALSO READ: Suzanne Nyiranyamibwa: A voice that kept Rwanda close Music in exile Despite being far from home, Nyiranyamibwa continued to use music to preserve Rwandan culture and express her longing for the country. She became one of the founders of Itorero Isamaza, a cultural troupe made up largely of Rwandan women and girls. The group used traditional songs and dance to maintain cultural ties among Rwandans in exile and support the struggle to liberate the country. Nyiranyamibwa performed alongside artists including Jeanne d’Arc Karigirwa Ruboneka, Anonciata Gatera, Françoise Ruboneka and Anonciata Kayisire. Their repertoire included songs that called on Rwandans to unite and return home, among them Turaje and Nimuberwe Bakobwa. Her music combined patriotism with a message of unity, encouraging Rwandans to put aside hatred and work together for their country. A voice for survivors The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi brought further tragedy to Nyiranyamibwa’s family. Her mother, Carolina Mukanzigiye, was among those killed. After the Genocide, Nyiranyamibwa returned to Rwanda and confronted the destruction left behind. The experience inspired one of her most recognised songs, Ese Mbaze Nde? meaning “Who Can I Ask?” Composed in early 1996, the song gives voice to the grief of survivors who returned to find their families and communities destroyed. Its lyrics mourn the dead, the suffering of orphans and widows, and the loss of people who could no longer be asked for answers. Rather than simply recounting the tragedy, the song captures the loneliness of those left behind and the challenge of finding a way forward after such profound loss. The song later became closely associated with Kwibuka, Rwanda’s annual commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Nyiranyamibwa also became known for performing at commemoration events and memorial sites, using her music to honour the victims and comfort survivors. Her other songs, including Ibuka, Nyumva Mana and Humura Nyanza Ntuzazima, carried messages of remembrance, resilience and hope. Returning home After more than four decades abroad, Nyiranyamibwa returned to settle in Kigali in December 2016. In an interview at the time, she explained that she had remained in Belgium largely to raise and educate her children. Once they had grown up, she felt there was little reason to remain abroad when she wanted to spend her later years in Rwanda. “I never loved Europe. I lived there because I had children who had to study, and I needed to be close to them and care for them. Europe is not a place to grow old,” she said. After returning, she hoped to revive Itorero Isamaza and continue creating music. She remained involved in cultural activities and performed at events commemorating the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, including gatherings that brought together survivors and younger generations. Her music also helped pass Rwanda’s history and cultural traditions to younger audiences, many of whom came to know her through songs performed during commemoration events. In December 2025, Nyiranyamibwa received an honorary award at the Isango na Muzika Awards in recognition of her contribution to Rwandan music. She died on October 16, 2026, aged 83, leaving behind a repertoire that reflected the country’s suffering, the struggle for liberation and the determination of survivors to rebuild their lives.
