Journal 1 – Introduction and Traditional Dance (9/18/2016)
I decided to do my diversity project over the Rwandan culture and people. It took me awhile to come to this decision, but it finally hit me after I was scrolling through the internet simply looking for a movie. Hotel Rwanda caught my eye and sparked an interest. I remember sitting in history class watching the horrors this Hollywood movie portrayed. I have always had a strong calling towards Africa so it’s settled. I am looking forward to reading and leaning about the culture of the people of Rwanda.
I found that like all African countries, Rwanda has a strong and oh so beautiful tradition of celebrating the events of life through music and dance. Such dances will be based by nine or so drum players that provide the beat and the setting almost for the celebration. Today, there are new songs that are sung and new dances that are danced, but they also value the traditional folk songs. The oldest surviving music and dance group is called the Intore Dance Troupe. Intore literally means the chosen ones. This group was commonly performing for the Rwandan mwami or the king. They are active today across the country and in the National Museum in Huye.
All African cultures have always fascinated me, in fact for as long as I can remember I have always wanted to travel to Africa to really learn their culture and how they live. So I think that learning about this specific ‘group’ will not only give me a better glimpse into their lives, but will help me have a better understanding of their way of life and the ethnic violence of 1994. I am very excited to be learning more about this culture.
Journal 2 – Traditional Dress (9/25/2016)
As someone who competes in pageants and just has a general love for fashion and being well presented, I really value and respect the traditional wear of Rwandan women. From the articles I read the Umushanana dress is one of the most beautiful pieces of the Rwandan culture, but only if worn correctly.
“The magnificence of the umushanana is timeless and un matched…” says Francoise Uwase, the owner of a boutique in Kigali City Market” (Mbabazi). It has been something that has been traditionally worn by older women in the tribe, but has been moved to something that is worn by all during formal ceremonies, such as weddings. Wearing a umushanana to a wedding shows much respect and depicts congratulatory remarks to the new couple. According to Francoise, the boutique owner, there is no better way to depict their culture than wearing traditional dress to a wedding ceremony.
When purchasing a umushanana, it is important to look at all the key aspects of picking out any outfit. Color, texture, accessories, embroidery, and the key draping piece. The New York Times article shows that dark colors are great for plus size ladies because dark colors are slimming, or even how you drape the draping piece around your body can determine the first impression of your dress, sloppy and un- put together or neat and clean (Mbabazi). No matter what, this traditional dress will definitely be a fashion statement!
I find this so interesting because picking out gowns and finding one that I can wear ‘correctly’ is crucial to my hobby. Both of the articles I read expressed much concern about how great the umushanana can be but only if worn correctly. To me, I directly relate it to trying on gowns and finding the perfect stage gown, perhaps that is my traditional dress? When looking for a pageant gown you must take into account your body shape, size, your skin color with or with out a tan, what type of jewelry and shoes will you wear with it. They also talked about how the current generation is really expressing their love for their culture and expressing traditional values, but with a much new modern twist. A business women who rents out mushananas, a more modern version, says that young people are looking for something “experiment with and come up with new designs and unique styles (Rugina).
Journal 3 – Domestic Violence (10/2/2016)
As I was reading one article, I read that Rwanda has the highest number of women in parliament. That instantly struck a cord within me wondering the treatment and the views of women their cultures faces. Unfortunately, it was not what I was hoping it to be. Rwanda has domestic violence issues that need to be solved before they can move forward.
On the World Economic Forum website, it shows that 63.8% of the Rwandan Parliament is made up women. That’s 64 women to 36 men! (Bruce-Lockhart). Although women have a strong hold within their government systems, Rwanda does not seem to be a safe place for women. With some of the highest domestic violence numbers around, nearly 1 in 3 Rwandan women have or will experience domestic violence primarily from their husband or father (Chugh). It is believed that most of the domestic violence experienced is gender based ideals, “The Problem of Violence against women in Rwanda, as many African countries, is rooted in the cultural beliefs and notions of masculinity reinforced through generations,” says Peace Ruzage, CEO of Asprite Rwanda, a Kigali-based NGO providing free vocational skills to vulnerable women. (Chugh).
The genocide that took place in 1994 has had a strong hold on empowering women and giving them a voice. Before the genocide, women were legally viewed as a minority. They were not able to own land, conduct business, or even seek out employment opportunities without getting their husbands permission first. The women held traditional roles such as child work, house cleaning, and caring for the elderly. Perhaps the most important detail to see is that the husband paid the women’s family an iknwano, which really gave and showed him that he was master (Chugh).
It was not until after the genocide that things started to turn around for women, and really with great cause. The women found themselves with out their husbands. Most were either dead or were in prison. This forced the women to become the main provider for her and her family, and did so rightfully. The Rwandan government put in place laws that would give women an entitlement to any inheritances, to run campaigns, and now saw domestic violence as a serious crime.
A couple that used to experience domestic violence in their home took a crucial step towards healing their home. They would switch ideal gender roles – Florence Uzamunkunda, the wife, would do the farm work such as milking the cows, and her husband Samuel Munyaneza would do the house work. This really changed the way they viewed each other and their work. Now Samuel is viewed as a leader and a role model in their community. There are now training programs in 12 of the 30 districts with plans for expansion. The training programs focus on making everyone an equal and looking at personal, social and economic power. (Chugh).
I truly loved reading about this and seeing the genocide from a different viewpoint. The genocide, I feel, had a huge impact on the movement of women. Without that moment of ‘I don’t have a husband anymore’ the women would have been afraid to ever move forward for their basic human rights. I am a firm believer in the pain you feel today, is the strength you feel tomorrow and perhaps this is what they were feeling. Also, while I was reading about the women becoming the soul providers made me think of World War II on our home front. So many of our men were drafted for war and that left our factories, businesses, and stores to be run by our women. When our men returned most women stayed in their new jobs, they did not return back home. I think it is so awesome, simply stated, that the government is directly involved in moving forward with finding a solution to their violence towards women issues
(10/9/2016)
On the fourth Saturday of every month Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, all the able bodied citizen come together to clean their city. In fact they call this day the Umuganda, which means coming together for a common outcome. It is very common in most African cultures to ask friends and family for help while dealing with something that would be rather difficult to deal with alone. Now it is an entire community coming together really for the greater good.
Umuganda has been a large part of the Rwandan culture for many years but President Paul Kahame called upon it to become and remain a traditional practice after the genocide. He believed that it would be able to bring their country back together as a whole and bring it to its feet it triumph.
On this day, the fourth Saturday of every month, the town closes down. Hundreds of people come together to keep their streets clean. Although littering is illegal in Rwanda, to the point where plastic bags are taken away at point of entry in Rwanda, the citizens have a sense of pride about keeping their land beautiful and clean.
This article related keeping their city clean like Singapore keeps their city clean. The only difference is that Singapore does it through harsh laws that require citizens to pick up after themselves where has in Kigali, it is a right and patriotic duty to keep their city clean. I think that is something beautiful. Volunteer work is something that I have always held very close to my heart, but I hold the pride of my nation much closer. As American citizens we could take a lesson from Kigali about upholding out American patriotism by just picking up a piece of trash when we see it.
Journal 5 – Food Dining and Etiquette (10/16/2016)
In the land of a thousand hills food and dining are apart of everyday lives. Food that is traditionally eaten by Rwandan’s are not spicy, but rather simple meals that come from resources in their community. Many fruits are consumed by Rwandans as they have a strong abundance. Fruits such as mangos, avocados, bananas, pineapple and papaya are commonly eaten and grown. It is common for people to snack on fruits between meals.
Rwandans start their day with a simple breakfast that is made up of sweet potatoes and porridge. Lunch will consist of boiled beans and sweet potatoes (Customs). It is not common for rural Rwandans to eat meat as it is seen as a symbol of higher good. However, in the city meat is more abundant and able to be eaten. The most common meat are beef, chicken and if they live near a lake many fish as well.
While dining in Rwanda, it is an insult to not take or to refuse a meal or drink that someone has offered you. Perhaps it is that way because it is common for the host to drink or eat first to prove to the house-guest that the meal is safe to consume – free from poison. It has been 21 years since the Rwandan genocide but the scars that were formed were deep cut. Be cautious about bringing up the genocide while eating dinner and avoid asking someone’s tribe – Hutu or Tutsi. The government of Rwanda has made great strides to heal the nation as a whole (Consumed).
Journal 6 – Genocide (10/23/2016)
The Rwandan culture is one that shows pride with in its self and holds their values true and strong. Rwanda is a small country in the near the east of Africa. Rwanda is landlocked by it’s neighbors and allies Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Uganda. Rwanda is known as a “Land of a Thousand Hills” (Rwanda). Rwanda is made up of three main tribes, or ethic division, Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa. The 1991 census showed a national population of 7.7 million with 90% Hutu, 9% Tutsi, and 1 Twa (Rwanda). Together these three make up the culture of Rwanda. Although all three tribes speak the same language, practice the religion, and really live with one another. In fact, tribes can ‘cross culture’ marry one another. The only thing these cultures do not share are political opinions.
The Rwandan Genocide took place from April 7, 1994 and lasted only 100 days. In those 100 days well over 600,000 people were murdered by Hutu extremists. The Hutu culture makes up a large portion of Rwanda. The Hutus were seeking revenge on The Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), a group organized by the Tutsi’s, because on the eve of April 6, 1994 a plane that was carrying their Hutu president was shot down and killed everyone on board. The RPF made statements that the Hutu’s shot down their own plane to show an excuse for their genocide (News). This was one of the most brutal genocides I believe we have ever seen, governments turned on governments, families turned on families, and people set up road blocks to check citizen cards that stated their ethic tribe.
To me, this truly is one of the worst crimes against humanity. It was really brother against brother. I remember growing up and learning about so many wars that took place in our world, but I never really knew what happened in Rwanda. I watched Hotel Rwanda in a world history class, but don’t remember talking about it. This is something I could not explain to someone before I learned the little pieces of information I know now. The Rwandan culture is so very rich and I believe that this piece of their history is important to their culture.
Journal 7 – Weddings (10/30/2016)
In the Rwandan culture weddings are a very special thing. That have strong traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. It is important in the Rwandan culture to tie in both the spiritual connection and the new connection between the two tribes joining hands. Rwandan’s believe that a marriage does not only link two people together but rather links two people, two families, and two tribes. They utilize both tribe’s traditions and specific customs. As the wedding progresses, they will give remembrance to their ancestors. The Rwandan people find much meaning for the couple to know the significance of the traditions they are using as it will allow the wedding to be more sincere.
A traditional Rwandan wedding is broken down into two parts. The first part being the traditional wedding. Here the couple will get consent from both families to allow the marriage to take place. This does not officially mark the couple’s marriage, the next step, civil or church wedding does. During the civil wedding is when the couple is officially married.
The traditional wedding is the most exciting part because it is colorful and festive. The traditional wedding will always be held at the Aunt’s house. The first step is taking the bride to a salon to get dressed in her traditional wear of mushanan. The mushanan is made out of silk and has a long skirt attached with a sash to cover the shoulders. The yard is organized with chairs and tents. The tents will be set up opposite of their family so they can begin to get to know each other. The bride will get her own tent that is designed specifically for her with animal print material along the tent. It will be decorated with baskets and other hand made goods. While the bride is being prepared, the heads of the families will begin to discuss their future as one family, why they want their children to get married and a general knowledge of ‘goals’. After this exchange, gifts follow and the groom is finally introduced to the aunt.
It is traditional for the marriage to be started by presenting a dowry which can be a form of cows or agriculture tools to the bride’s family. This is done in thanks to her family for raising a women that is ready for marriage. There is also a dowry for the groom’s family, normally in the form of milk.
Perhaps the most exciting part is the actual ceremony. The procession is lined with traditional dancers and four spear men guard the bride until her and her groom meet at the alter. After the first meeting, they are ushered into a tent that marsh they are ready to be formally married in civilly.
Journal 8 – Forgiveness (11/6/2016)
In the back of Immaculee Ilibagiza’s book Led by Faith, there is an epilogue titled “Rwanda Rising” and it is quite possibly the most heart felt and moving seven pages one has ever read. Immaculee is talking about her visit back to Rwanda seven years after the genocide, which she survived, and six years after moving to America. She was on her way back to be apart of her brothers Christmas time wedding in Kigali.
She says, “The Crumbling, broken wreck of a city I’d lived in after the genocide was no where to be found. A new Kigali had emerged from the ruins – one that was now bright, modern, inviting, and glistening in the morning sun” (Ilibagiza, 195). She saw her hometown in breath of fresh air; perhaps she has never seen her city the way it looks today until she stepped off that plane. As her trip to Rwanda moved on she saw all the progress that it was making with its new president. Things such as leading numbers for the women in parliament, Hutu and Tutsi’s coming together to apologize, ask for forgiveness, and work together for a brother future, building maternity hospitals for the baby boom, children going to school with leading numbers. She saw her country for what it was now and all that it has survived. When I read this little section of Led by Faith I couldn’t help but stop to think about what I have seen in my past and how I see it today.
It is up to us for how we want to live our lives and how we want to view everything around us. With so much hate and violence happening in the world it is hard to keep our hearts from holding grudges and negative emotions, but that is simply up to us. For me, I have been struggling with my sexual assault recently. To the point where I have taken steps backwards instead of moving forward. I have found a new hate in my heart for what was taken from me and what was done to me that was not there when I was a freshmen in college. Yet, it is simply up to me how I want to handle that hate. After reading Immaculee’s words a light has been sparked to give me that little push to dig deep and find that forgiveness I once had. Everything starts with forgiveness and if the people of Rwanda are able to come together to find their new hope and forgiveness we all can find a little in our hearts.
Our world is so vast. There is nothing the same about any culture out there. When we look at the Rwandan genocide, it was earth shattering and life altering. However, the Rwandans have pulled together as one nation – Hutu and Tutsi’s – working together to make their country great again. They have all asked for forgiveness and are working for something greater than themselves. We can all learn something from Rwanda. Something so very valuable. It is in our hearts how we want to live our lives. Wrong things happen, we are only human, but we have opportunities to move them out of the way and ask for forgiveness. We have opportunities to rise from ashes just as Rwanda has shown the world they are.
Journal 9 – Agents of Change (11/13/2016)
I believe it is commonly known or at least commonly believed that Africa has some of the lowest quality of water in the world. It is very common for us, Americans, to pack our bags, hop on a plane, and do mission work in third world nations where we have the tools and technology to give them water. That is exactly what UNICEF does.
UNICEFF sponsor a Community Hygiene Club (CHC) in the Rwamagana District. One member, Angelique is involved in every meeting. She is eager to learn the importance of hand washing that will help fight diseases that are common to their area. Angelique is beaming with excitement as her village now has water point so she is able to bring enough water back home for cooking, cleaning, hand washing, and the children. Her daughter, Emmelyne who is four years old, happily attends school, washing her hands, and sharing her new skills with her family. Emmelyne attends an early childhood development and family centre in the Ntunga Village up in the eastern province. She is leaning there the importance of washing her hands before she has any food.
UNICEFF is apart of the One UN in Rwanda that gives the government support to find and supply water points for villages.
Just like Angelique and Emmelyne we can all be agents of change. Whether it be advocating for clean water or taking in the small excitements of life that we have access too that we may take for granted.
Journal 10 – Hospitals (11/20/2016)
I looked really hard to find any special birthing traditions that Rwandans hold deeply in their hearts however, I could not find any. What I did find was the alarming rate of neonatal deaths and how Rwanda is currently fighting them. Many mothers and babies are dying in the birthing process due to lack of knowledge and un trained helpers assisting with at home births. A CNN article from 2011 said that until most recent times it was normal for a mother to give birth at home which could cause major complications if not ready for what could happen (Striker).
However, a new rural hospital is evolving thee way Rwanda vies healthcare and the quality of life given to it’s citizens. The Butaro Hospital was built in one of the most remote hospitals that will alleviate one doctor from seeing a population of almost 350,000 (Striker). The Rwandan Permanent Secretary of Health says this about the new hospital, “There are too many deaths that we could prevent by increasing access to care in a geographic way and also increasing the expertise of health professionals that deliver services” (Striker). Dr. Agnes Binagwaho openly welcomed the new center that will help further her countries development and standing in the world.
This hospital is seen as a beacon of hope in a country with many scars! (Striker). This hospital is allowing mothers and newborns to utilize the trained staffed and professionals and all the equipment in it to better their lives. The hospital is also fighting common diseases such as tuberculosis.
The article states that only a few years ago there were nearly eight deaths a day. No they see less than one a day. The Secretary of Health, Dr. Binagwaho, says even that is too much, but we are making progress (Striker).
It simply amazes the resiliency that this country holds. So much has happened to them and they chose not to actually fight back, but to fight back progression. Their goal is not to shatter the history of their nation but to rather restore their country for what it stood for and to make it a better place.
Works Cited
Bruce-Lockhart, A. (2015, September 1). Which countries have the most women in parliament? | World … Retrieved November 13, 2016, from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/09/countries-most-women-in-parliament/
Chugh, N. (2013, November 22). A drive to beat Rwanda’s gender-based violence. Retrieved November 13, 2016, from https://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2013/nov/22/rwanda-gender-based-violence
Customs and Cuisine of Rwanda | Dining for Women. (n.d.). Retrieved December 03, 2016, from https://diningforwomen.org/customsandcuisine/customs-and-cuisine-of-rwanda/
E., & Says, J. K. (2014). Wedding Traditions in Rwanda. Retrieved November 03, 2016, from http://rwandawedding.org/wedding-traditions-rwanda/
K. (2016, January 3). Umuganda Day – Coming Together for a Common Purpose – Creating a better Rwanda Why is Rwanda so Clean – Umuganda Day – the 4th Saturday of every Month When Visitors,. Retrieved November 13, 2016, from http://kabiza.com/kabiza-wilderness-safaris/why-is-rwanda-so-clean-umuganda-day/
libagiza, I., & Erwin, S. (2008). Led by faith: Rising from the ashes of the Rwandan genocide. Carlsbad, CA: Hay House.
Mbabazi, D. (n.d.). How to rock Umushanana. Retrieved November 13, 2016, from http://www.newtimes.co.rw/section/article/2015-03-05/186582/
News, B. (n.d.). Rwanda genocide: 100 days of slaughter. Retrieved November 12, 2016, from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-26875506
People & Culture. (n.d.). Retrieved November 17, 2016, from http://www.our-africa.org/rwanda/people-culture
Rugina, S. (2013, October 18). Changing face of umushanana, the Rwandan traditional dress. Retrieved November 13, 2016, from http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/Rwanda/Lifestyle/Changing-face-of-umushanana-Rwandan-traditional-dress/1433242-2038426-t9yr9s/index.html
Rwanda. (n.d.). Retrieved November 12, 2016, from http://www.everyculture.com/No-Sa/Rwanda.html
Rwanda. (n.d.). Retrieved December 03, 2016, from https://www.unicef.org/rwanda/reallives_18671.html
Strieker, G. (2011). Rwanda saving lives of mothers and babies. Retrieved December 04, 2016, from http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/04/06/rwanda.child.birth
Marissa's Social Work Endeavors 