Traditions of Kigali
A hill-top capital that remembers the 1994 genocide each April, and keeps the Intore dance and imigongo art.
Kigali is a clean, green, hilly capital in the heart of Rwanda. The country's culture is rooted in cattle, music and a shared language, Kinyarwanda. Each April, Rwandans observe Kwibuka, a period of remembrance of the genocide against the Tutsi, and the city is the centre of national commemoration.
Intore and Kwibuka
The Intore dance is performed by men with spears and shields in a lively display of swagger, followed by a graceful dance of women, with drums and the inanga zither. Imigongo, an art of cow dung and geometric patterns, covers the walls of houses. Kwibuka, a week of remembrance, is solemn, with candles, walks and testimonies.
At the table
Isombe, cassava leaves with eggplant and spinach, and ugali with beans, brochettes, goat skewers, and plantains are common. Ikivuguto is fermented milk and a favourite. Urwagwa, banana beer, is used in weddings and ceremonies. Umuganura is a harvest festival in August.
Signature traditions of Kigali
Also part of it, and being written: Imigongo (The Rwandan art.), Rwandan cuisine (Beans, plantain and brochettes of the highlands.).
A trail idea for Kigali
- Kigali Genocide Memorial Pay respects.
- Kimironko Market Browse fabrics and food.
- Inema Arts Center See local art.
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
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Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Intore: Ji-Elle, CC BY-SA 4.0, source