Rwanda is a landlocked East African country which is inhabited by the Hutu, Batwa, and Tutsi. Their main language is Kinyarwanda and French. Previous Rwanda was known for the 1994 genocide but now it is globally known for the Volcanoes National Parks. The Volcanoes National Park is home for the endangered mountain gorillas and golden monkeys.
However, apart from that, it is one of the richest nations in terms of diversified cultural heritage. The heritage is visible in archaeological excavations, museums, memorials and historical sites.
Rwanda emerged global top ten countries as far as visitors safety is concerned as per World Economic Forum 2017 biennial report. Iby Iwacu cultural village is the best place to be for its unforgettable experience in the Rwandan culture.
This is a small village that speaks more about the lifestyle of the inhabitant of thousand hills. The village is located in Musanze district in Kinigi area, Nyabigoma cell around Parc National des Volcanoes. It is a village with the true demonstration of Rwanda’s rich culture. The Iby iwacu means treasure of our home.
The cultural village was started with the intention of harmonizing conservation and the local community. This was an alternative to benefit the community adjacent to the park and deter them from poaching of wild animals. Iby Iwacu cultural village is the best place to relax and fresh your mind after memorable gorilla trek in Virunga National Park.
The hospitality of the community members will make you feel like to stay in their community and not to leave. Your presence is of great value to the community. In the company of a professional friendly tour guide, the community members will share and showcase details of their past. The village brings a clear picture of the traditional lifestyle of a Rwandan including dress code, food crop growing, food processing and preparation, traditional ceremonies and interpersonal relationship with the community.
Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village
At iby wacu cultural village, you will visit the king’s house where you learn more about the king and queen lifestyle. At the king’s house, you get the opportunity to be enthroned and installed as a king where you can take part in exercising the power of leadership as the village elders give you a ceremony. This will give you nothing but a favor and immense experience of a real African royal for a moment. The favor of being a king or queen can only be found in Rwanda.
You will enjoy the rare Intore dance and Ibyivungo performed by the community members using traditional musical instruments like Umuduri, Ikembe, Iningiri, Inanga, Ingoma, Amakondera, and Agakenke among others. Listening to the famous songs of the gorillas sang by the Ngayabatema showing you the experience in the wild of mountain Gorillas where you can also join the dance leaves you with a story to tell.In addition, you get the chance to learn to drum and play the drums its lot of fun.
Thirdly you will visit the traditional clinic, meet the traditional healers. These traditional healers here are not witch doctors. At the traditional clinic, you will learn about different plant species and their medicinal significance to locals, the prescriptions of those medicines and tasting the medicines at your own will.
Not forgetting that visitors are allowed to participate in traditional activities of Rwanda people. This will include crop cultivation, millet grinding using ancient grinding stones, preparing local dishes like Ubugari and Igikoma served with the local beer made out of banana. At Iby iwacu you will also learn traditional methods of making the banana beer, hear stories of traditional techniques of hunting from the ex-poachers, learn pottery experience and crafting skills from the local women.
These experiences will surely give you a sense of belonging to this lovely community.
