Rwanda: People & Culture

A total of 84 percent of the Rwandan population is Hutu. The Tutsi people account for 15 percent, while Twa (pygmoid) make up less than one percent. Non-Africans make up such a small proportion of the population as to be negligible.

However, most Rwandans today prefer to identify themselves as Rwandan rather than Hutu, Tutsi or Twa.

Language

Most Rwandans speak Kinyarwanda. This is a Bantu language spoken by about eight million people in the region, located mostly in Rwanda itself but also in its neighbouring countries.

French is widely spoken - from educated professionals to rural villagers. Some Rwandans speak English, which ranges from excellent (in a distinct minority) to rudimentary.

Swahili is also spoken in Rwanda, having migrated from Kenya and Tanzania where it was born as a hybrid language when the Arabs began trading along the east African coast.

Music

Music is very important to all of Rwanda's peoples. Tutsi songs are generally focused on attributes of excellence, bravery and valour.

Hutu songs are more light-hearted and focused around social and celebratory occasions. Twa songs are almost all about hunting - an important part of the original culture of the Twa people.

The most common and important musical instrument is the drum, playing a central role in Rwanda's arts. Historically, the royal drummers were the dominant musical contingent of the royal court.

Drum ensembles consist of seven or nine drums; one soprano, a tenor, an alto, two baritones and two double bass.

Lulungas, traditional eight-stringed instruments similar (though very different) to harps, are also played, often as a melodic counterpoint to the rhythm of the drums.

With music comes dance, which is deeply ingrained in Rwandan culture and history. Dances used to be aggressive and warlike, with names such as ikuma (lance), ingabo (shield), and umeheto (bow), which were actually carried by the dancers.

In recent times the dances have become more peaceful, and dummy weapons are used in the remaining warlike dances.

Food

Rwanda has no strikingly unique culinary identity. Rwandans eat simple food made from local ingredients; mostly beans, corn, peas, millet, sweet potatoes and fruit. Breakfasts often consist of sweet potatoes and porridge made from sorghum, corn and millet mixed with milk.

Dinner is the biggest meal in Rwanda. The ubiquitous African ugali (or sadza) is often served for supper with lake fish or goat kebabs.

Other traditional meals include umutsima (corn and cassava), isomba (cassava leaves with aubergine and spinach) and mizuzu (fried plantains).

Tropical fruits abound in Rwanda. You can find avocados, bananas, mangos and papayas at markets.

Bananas are often an excellent option for breakfast; all but the best hotels tend to serve oily omelettes and stale mandazi (doughnut-like deep-fried dough balls).

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