Community Activities to Engage in on Your Trip to Rwanda.

Marked by a deep sense of unity, religious tolerance, and a commitment to preserving its culture, Rwanda’s rich customs and traditions provide a warm and immersive experience for globetrotters, inviting them to engage with the local culture, witness captivating rituals, and embrace the enduring spirit of Ubunyaga. Engaging in community activities in Rwanda involves Voluntourism which is a type of international travel where volunteers help a local community in a resource-poor setting.

Ubunyaga is a Kinyarwanda word that means “hospitality” or “generosity” and is a central concept in Rwandan culture characterized by a warm welcome to all, regardless of their background or social status.

It’s a combination of tourism and volunteering, and is a relatively new trend in modern travel. It is one of the best ways to bond with the locals and also understand the customs and traditions of the locals. In Rwanda, these community activities will help you achieve that goal.

Umuganda:

This is  one of the best cultural activities to engage in while in Rwanda. Umuganda is a national holiday in Rwanda that involves community service on the last Saturday of every month. The word Umuganda means coming together in common purpose to achieve an outcome.

This day is a remarkable cultural practice in Rwanda as it fosters a sense of unity and solidarity as communities come together to engage in various project that benefit society such as cleaning streets and waste collection.

After the 1994 Rwanda Genocide, the major agenda was forgiveness and reconciliation and one of the ways this has been achieved is through umuganda. This tradition strengthens social bonds and also highlights the commitment of Rwandans to working collectively for the betterment of their country.

On the day of Umuganda, most services close down until noon when the activity is done. It is considered compulsory for all Rwandans and failure to participate results into heavy fines.

Interestingly, many foreigners especially those on vacation have been seen participating in this activity so you can also take part in it should you happen to be in Rwanda on the last Saturday of the month.

This is a perfect activity to engage in when visiting Rwanda

Genocide Memorial days:

Genocide memorial days are occasions to remember the victims of genocide and to work towards a safer future.

International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is celebrated on April 7th, and this day marks the beginning of the genocide against the Tutsi minority in Rwanda.

Commemorations include torch marches, debates, testimonies, and artistic expressions. This is the perfect day to visit the genocide Memorial centre in Kigali to join Rwandans as they mourn the death of about 900,000 of their families and friends.

Gorilla Naming Ceremony (Kwita Izina)

This is a cultural and conservation event held between September and October in the Volcanoes National Park that honours baby gorillas and raises awareness about the importance of protecting them.

The ceremony is based on an ancient Rwandan tradition of naming children in the presence of loved ones. The ceremony helps identify and monitor individual gorillas and their groups in the wild.

It also showcases Rwanda’s conservation efforts and sustainable approach to gorilla tourism Rwanda began officially naming mountain gorillas in 2005.

Helps communities near the gorilla parks develop amenities like schools, hospitals, roads, and safe drinking water sources

The Red Rocks Annual Cultural festival:

The Red Rocks Cultural centre organises an annual cultural festival at their premises in Nyakimana Village, Musanze District with additional celebrations in nearby towns like Mukungwa and Kinigi.

The festival usually features exhibitions of traditional cultural music and dance alongside a variety of artwork produced by local women and youth cooperatives. On top of the exhibitions,  there community workshops for attendees to participate in including banana beer making, basket weaving, cooking, painting, sports and conservation debates.

Entertainment always continues in the evening with the Red rocks Twataramye which is Cultural music using all types of musical instruments plus theatre and poetry. The festival aims at environmental conservation therefore expect conservation activities such as cleaning and planting trees.

Getting involved in community activities gives you a sense of belonging and comfort. It is these activities that enhance your travel experience and create unforgettable memories for your trip.