Community, Culture, and Tradition

Written By: Ellen Veys and Chase Lewandowski

During our second week in Rwanda, we learned about community and culture. Rwanda has a diverse culture including all different foods, music, and personalities. The people of Rwanda place a large emphasis on staying together as a community. This was evident as we drove through many different neighborhoods, both small and large, on the way to our destinations. People could be seen chatting at storefronts, doing household chores with their family members, coming back from the fields, and running errands on bikes. In every neighborhood we passed through, people were outside and socializing with each other.

People are particularly approachable here due to the strong value of community. For context, this is Ellen speaking, and I’m going to share an interaction I had with a man that has stuck with me on this trip.

We were in downtown Kigali one evening this past week doing some shopping, and I met a man who was deaf and working as a valet. His name was Ibra, and although I didn’t know much sign language, we had a good conversation. He was extremely kind and outgoing, and told me about his job, how he would like to visit America, and how all of us tourists were welcome to Rwanda. The fact that he was so open to talking with a stranger just goes to show how integral community interaction is here.

Most people I’ve met here have been very social, friendly, and just willing to get to know a new person. This is something I have experienced in the Midwest, but not very often, as I have lived in suburbs my whole life that are usually more secluded. From my experience, getting to know your neighbors and people in your city has become less and less prioritized for Americans. The common sentiment is to just keep to yourself and mind your own business, but talk to those who talk to you first. This is different from what I’ve seen in Rwanda, as I have heard people here are typically more reserved, but will also smile at you and strike up a conversation with you if you are open to it. It has been very exciting to meet so many new people here and I have found it very easy to talk with others.

We learned one of the many traditional dances in Rwanda. Amaraba is a ceremonial dance of Rwanda performed at events like weddings and graduations. The dance itself is based heavily on the slow and steady beat of the music. Dancers will gather and perform the dance together clad in traditional, colorful wardrobes with the men even sporting spears and shields. Dancers perform many different styles, movements, and steps within the dance itself. Amaraba often consists of elegant footwork, clapping, and rhythmic gestures that were included with the original dance years ago. The dance itself is very symbolic to the Rwandan culture. Many Rwandans dance to express themselves. Rwandans danced after a bountiful harvest, the birth of a child, victory or losses in battles, and many other events were expressed through different dances. The Amaraba dance itself was for the king. The drums, warriors, and women work together to perform an elegant dance fit for a king, and we were lucky enough to be a part of it.