The Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF-Inkotanyi) launched the liberation struggle on October 1, 1990, with the fighting arm of the party, Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA), ending the decades-long refugee status of many Rwandans who had been denied entry to live in their own country. Music has a way of speaking to people and as a uniting factor, it can be traced in Rwanda’s liberation struggle. Take for instance songs like, “Intsinzi”, “Iya mbere ukwakira” and more kept people in the spirit of liberation. Marie-Jeanne Mukankuranga, best known as Mariya Yohana, is considered one of the most iconic singers of liberation songs. Her famous song, “Intsinzi” was one of the many that gave the liberators hope by predicting victory even before the war started. “We had love for the country as well as music, so we had to find a way to use our talents in the process of liberation without using guns,” she said. “Our weapons were voices and melodies, these really helped soldiers on the frontline. They could sing our songs and get hope even when things were hard for them,” Mariya added. Alphonse Masamba Butera, best known as Masamba Intore explains music as one of the most important weapons that gave Rwandans hope all over the world. “Before the war started, our songs used to inspire young men and women to join the journey of going back home. Music was one of the main things that mobilised soldiers, and increased recruitment in the army,” he says. “When the war started music was termed as Akanyabugabo, which means courage in battle. Some of our songs like Twatashye gave the soldiers morale to move forward even in hard times,” Masamba told The New Times. He believes that a soldier without morale can’t make progress, and explained how the music sector has not only helped the liberation war but also after the country was liberated. “The role of music continued even after the war. Music continued to play a role in the countrys development, and good governance which also led to the development of Rwandan music,” says Masamba. Music expert Albert Rudatsimburwa explained how the ‘revolutionary songs’ have a way of uniting people for a cause. “Liberation songs are not commercial or artistic. They are deeper into feelings, and things that can’t be seen with our eyes. These are records that create a hunger for success for whoever listens to them,” he told The New Times. “Our people were young, and the best way to capture the youth’s attention was through music. Thats why it played a big role in liberation. Another thing for Rwandans, it kept us together and motivated,” he added. Rudatsimburwa also explained that liberation songs are also used in remembering, or celebrating what has been achieved. “Fighters after the war remember their comrades by playing these songs. Thats why we also transmitted our memories to songs like Ingabo za Rwabugiri and Ruganzu. It keeps some memories alive,” he said. Some of these liberation songs include ‘Turaje’ by Isamaza and Intwari zUrugamba by RDF Military Band.
