Traditional singer Clarisse Karasira last released her single ‘Rwambyaye,’ sponsored by Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy, as part of her award as the best artiste in promoting Rwandan culture. “Making a song and getting full sponsorship from Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy was one of the awards and so we worked on that project and waited to share it now that we were about to celebrate ‘Harvest Day’ in Rwanda.” She told The New Times how the inspiration about the song came to her in January. “I was out with my friends and we got to Ruganzu in Rulindo, I thought of my country Rwanda, after seeing all its touristic sites and decided to sing about the beauty of the country,” she said. Clarisse Karasira, who quit journalism to pursue the music career with the main purpose of promoting culture into her art, told The New Times she was awarded a cash prize, that she declined to disclose, and a certificate of appreciation by the culture institution, for her role in promoting Rwandan culture through her songs. She encouraged other artists to embark on cultural related arts and keep on promoting them since she believes that they may be rewarded as well. The ‘Ntizagushuke’ hit maker said that she recorded ‘Rwambaye’ because “however hard it is for the whole world especially for all Rwandans to share their harvest since some didn’t get enough due to Covid-19, when the pandemic comes to an end we will enjoy more harvest.” Speaking to this publication, Jean-Claude Uwiringiyimana, the Deputy DG of Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy, said that Karasira was not the only singer, but Man Martin as well, since they were the first two in the competition of the best Rwandan culture promotors. “At Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy, promoting culture is one of our tasks and we awarded the top five artists, the top two were also given an award of song production and ‘Rwambyaye’ is one the songs we sponsored.” Uwiringiyimana added that the institution is planning to develop some more artists, singers, poets who aim to strengthen Rwandan culture, starting from the language to other areas that showcase the culture.
