From the ancient times in the history of Rwanda, Umuganura was a big day to the royals and generally, to the whole public, due to its vitality at the moment.
It was a day full of rituals and casts with significant meaning in the daily lives of the Rwandans.
In the book “Culture in the Art” Umuganura started to be celebrated first on the reign of a Rwandan cultural hero Gihanga Ngomijana Ijaana, who founded Inyambo and dynasties as is told in the legends of the long, long ago in the 10th Century. However, his successor, did not transcend the legacy of the Umuganura until at the wake of the Ruganzu II Ndoli, the fool at around (1510-1543) after relinquishing power from the Banyoro who has captured Rwanda for almost a decade.
Umuganura has become one of the esoteric codes that would be compared to the constitution of today. The celebration of this day was where cultural dances would be enjoyed and practiced.
On the day of Umuganura, in the Royal palace normally called Ikambere, they would receive 50 types of food harvests, However, in the preparations of the celebration only the historical favorite food-sorghum where they usually brew local beer would be received. Then they would later, share in harmony as they celebrate the great day of Umuganura.
Historically, on the national level the King would take the steer and lead it with the help of the ritualist of the Umuganura celebration originating from abatsobe a clan that specifically bore ritualists. Whilst, on the household level, the head of the family would gather member of his house and celebrate the day.
Usually, in the ancient times, the celebration of Umuganura would be celebrated during the harvest of the sorghum, the day of the Umuganura celebration would be celebrated first as a must from royal level to the majority Rwandans.
The Express News
