A visit to Rwanda is a remarkable opportunity to explore the indigenous people’s enormously rich heritage and values in an authentic cultural tour. You will get opportunities to interact intimately with the Rwandese people, while also having an immersive experience of their traditional music and dances. These guided tours take you to the beautiful rural areas to encounter people skilled in artisanry, farming, hunting and pottery among others. You can explore ancient sites, ceremonial sites and other cultural centers to gain a deeper understanding of the beautiful people of Rwanda.
Ethnographic museum
The Ethnographic Museum in Butare, southern Rwanda is an iconic cultural museum which attracts numerous cultural tourists. The Ethnographic Museum was built with significant help of the Belgium government and was opened in 1989. In this national museum, you are guaranteed great insight into the socio-political establishments of the Rwandese before and after the colonial era. These range from the flamboyant dressing to the traditional music instruments among other things. You will also explore the different hunting tools that were used by the people of Rwanda back in the old days when the land was administered by Kings.
Kings Palace
The Kings Palace in Rwanda’s Nyanza is a lovely looking circular dome with thatched roofs to replicate the one of the last King in the country. At this iconic cultural site, some long-horned cattle (Inyambo) from the King’s herd are cared for by professional cattle keepers. The cattle are decorated with beautiful flowers and beads, similar to how it used to happen in the times of the Kings prior to 1963. The cattle are sung for by the cattle keepers and witnessing how they respond to the sweet music directed at them is nice.
Bugesera Reconciliation village
Is a renowned cultural tour site established after the 1994 Rwanda Genocide which had left a deep scar among the Rwandese people. Some where left homeless, traumatized or bitter, thus needed healing. This would play a huge role in bringing peace and harmony among the populace. The government of Rwanda had to establish this site which has partly achieved its intended objective among the people. Now you can witness the people leaving in harmony with each another. While touring the village, you will also be edified about life during the 100 days of the bloody genocide.
Ibyi’wacu cultural village
The Ibyi’wacu cultural village is situated in northwestern Rwanda, just outside the luxurious Volcanoes National Park. This renowned cultural site is a must visit if you would love to dig deeper into the already rich cultural history of the Rwandese people. Upon your arrival, the humble and welcoming hosts will entertain you with energetic singing and drumming performances. There will be a guided village walk, where you will get another opportunity to interact with the indigenous people in their traditional homesteads, with grass-thatched houses.
Meanwhile, the elders will share the unique folktales of the land and how significant these are to their way of life. You will also take time to appreciate their culinary delights that includes cooking bananas and making fine millet floor using a grinding stone. There is also a chance of tasting the food, which you will obviously enjoy. There is also the exploration of the plantations, with crops such as bananas and some vegetable varieties. The locals will also guide you to see how they make traditional pots used for cooking etc. You will also experience firsthand how a herbalist utilizes the stems, leaves and roots of local plants to treat various illnesses such as fever and cough.
Batwa community
While on a thrilling gorilla trekking tour, you will have a beautiful encounter with the Batwa Pygmies, who are very adjacent to Volcanoes National Park. These are the original inhabitants of the forests of Volcanoes National Park before they were settled outside. An intimate encounter with them will ensure that they make you familiar with their way of life and other aspects of their intricate cultural tapestry. This is a once-in-lifetime opportunity to witness their hunting techniques, basket-weaving styles, pottery and the rare indigenous knowledge on herbal medicine and others. In addition, the Batwa will host you in their exciting story telling sessions, that are mainly conducted by the elders. Appreciate the connection between the Batwa and the luxurious forest in Volcanoes National Park and their role as its guardian.
Kitabi Cultural Center
Kitabi Cultural Center is almost 180 kilometers southwest of Kigali and near Nyungwe National Park. While on chimpanzee trekking tours in Nyungwe, you might as well have an intimate exploration of the Kitabi Cultural Center. There are lovely huts quite similar to the King’s Palace’s. The gates are protected by the royal guards who are elegantly equipped with arrows. The people are generally dressed in local attire and interact respectfully among themselves and their leaders. You will be entertained with cultural dances and music. This tour provides opportunities to engage in basket weaving, harvesting honey, and decoction among others.
What to carry
Ensure safe and joyful cultural tour in Rwanda by ensuring that you pack the following essential items,
- Comfortable lightweight clothes especially culturally appropriate attire
- Daypack
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Insect repellent
- Warm sweater
- Light rain jacket
- Sunscreen
- Camera and extra batteries
- Cash to buy souvenirs
- Recyclable water bottle