Why we must jealously guard Kinyarwanda

Language is arguably the most important component of culture because much of the rest of it is normally transmitted orally and it is impossible to understand the subtle nuances and deep meanings of your culture without knowing your language well.Thus, speaking a language and knowing it are quite distinct, but this, all together, has got far reaching impact on our cultural setup. Thus, without respect for and trust in our own language and culture, progress will be hard to come by.History has shown that within cultural dynamic of a society reside ferments of verbal expressions that will contribute towards its survival. In the main streaming sense it is defined by specific values, traditions and behavioral patterns if we are to preserve Rwandan culture, build identity, self-esteem to foster economic growth and social cohesion.Human beings learn and transmit their culture through language, viewed as verbal expression to convey our cultural ties living together in harmony with our traditional values.Unlike many countries in Africa, Rwanda has been a united state since pre-colonial times, populated by “Banyarwanda” who share a single language and cultural heritage. The power of language reflects our culture, values, customs and influences the way we think and express our thoughts.The two vital forces; language and culture are very essential for Rwanda to draw at, if we are to resolve whatever conflicts and forge ahead. It’s of great importance to attach the role of a shared culture in developing society not only in rebuilding after a disaster but also in conflict resolution.The greatest threat to our culture is the belief that someone else will save it, this has for some time been in our minds, yet nothing can be farther from reality. None but our selves can free our minds as a provocative wakeup experience for Rwandans to stigmatise failures and stimulate creativity. President Paul Kagame once said, “Rwandans should not afford to be mere observers in issues of concern for their own lives.”To discuss the future of Rwanda’s cultural heritage with a reconstructed history in the aftermath of a terrible genocide is quite challenging but calls for our unique language and culture in the rebuilding processes.This should not necessarily be political, economical or social in scope but should also encompass intellectual, emotional and moral elements. The safeguarding of all aspects of cultural heritage in this country, both tangible and intangible (museums, monuments, archeological sites, music, art, language and traditional crafts), is of particular significance in terms of strengthening cultural identity into a sense of national integrity.The Institute of National Museums of Rwanda has acknowledged this fact by committing to create an environment where cultural heritage is preserved, protected and passed on to the young generations as a record of rich experience and aspirations within our country.The link between language and culture is clear but with different dimensions as a tool for dialogue and social inclusion that makes us who we are, consciously from generation to generation.Rwanda’s museums as cultural institutions have made tremendous efforts in providing cultural education. The use of living arts is an element that triggers cultural heritage consciousness that has proved worthwhile in post conflict situations as a unifying role between communities by displaying shared values and, henceforth, giving a sense of belonging. Museums by nature tend to evoke debates about valuing and valorisation of cultural heritage and language interchangeably and indeed our language helps us to reconstruct our history, our creativity and, above all, our identity.What we say, what we think, what we feel and how we behave provide us with many of the categories we use in expressing our thoughts. This has become a subject of mutual interest in helping us develop common ownership and rehabilitation of the same as a central element in giving a sense of historical continuity to Rwandans.As a gateway to reality, this is the period we have to witness innovations that lead us to renovations of our cultural heritage by respecting and dignifying our language.We should keenly throw ourselves into our own cultural thoughts, stand erect, guard jealously our very own mother tongue.Language is part and parcel of culture; let’s cherish our language to preserve our cultural heritage.The writer is a cultural heritage analyst/philosophical studies consult.

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Why we must jealously guard Kinyarwanda