Types of communication
French, English Kinyarwanda & Swahili is the official language of Rwanda. Kinyarwanda speaks by over 12 million people and is an ethnic Bantu in many countries. These include: Rwanda, Uganda, the Demographic of Congo. Kinyarwanda is the only language spoken in Rwanda. The Hutu people, Tutsi people, and Twa speak it. Kinyarwanda became the language of their culture during the 15thcentury after close contact between these ethnic groups. Rwandans speak it the most, 93% of them. The official status of the language allows it to be used in education, administration, media and commerce. Rwanda, as a former Belgian territory, adopted French. French was once a colonial dialect, but today only 0.1% of people speak it, and they are mostly educated. After the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, English gradually replaced French.
After the genocide, the Rwandans completely cut themselves off from France and its influences. English is Rwanda’s 3rd official language. About 0.2% speak it. It was introduced in 2008 to the Rwandan school system. In order to move away from French influence and align Rwanda with East Africa, the transition from French into English began. English has an added economic advantage by increasing foreign investment from English-speaking countries. In Rwandese schools, English is the main language of instruction. In February 2017, the Rwandan government made Swahili a national language. The East African Community asked for its adoption after requesting that Swahili be included as an official language. The language will be used for administrative purposes and official documents. Swahili has been adopted as an obligatory subject for the curriculum.
Religion
Six major religious beliefs are prevalent in Rwanda. These include Roman Catholicism alongside Protestantism and any other form of Christianity. This makes up 96.3%. Roman Catholicism was introduced to Rwandans in 1891, when German East Africa became part of Rwanda. In Rwanda, the Protestantism religion is second in size, with 45.4%. Belgian missionaries were sent to Rwanda after World War One. This was due to Belgium taking control of Rwanda (1916-1962) as Ruanda/Urundi. In the 1930s, Protestantism became more popular in Rwanda and its surrounding areas.
Additionally, all forms of Christianity together represent 4,4% of Rwandans. This makes it the third-largest religion in Rwanda. Jehovah’s Witnesses in Rwanda are one of the most notable groups and the ones who face the most harassment. Islam is Rwanda’s 4th largest religion. Only 1.8% practice it. Sunni Islam dominates the majority of Muslims. In the 18th-century, it is believed that traders from East Coast of Africa brought the religion to Rwanda. But it was not until the late 19th century when it began to become an important part of Rwanda. Rwanda has a population of 1,8% who are atheists, agnostics or both.
Atheists and Agnostics in Rwanda are not counted as citizens and it is considered a bad thing to be non-religious. There has been a rise in people who are atheists or agnostics since the Rwandan Genocide. Only 0.1% of Rwandans claim to follow African folk belief. Few people in Rwanda practice African folk belief, but many other religions incorporate traditional elements in their practices. African Folk believes in Imaana the supreme being, and also other lesser gods. These deities are also believed to be communicable via the spirits and ancestors.
Ethnicity
Hutu is the most dominant ethnic group in Rwanda. Hutu ethnicity is dominant in Burundi (the country), Rwanda, and certain parts of the Demographic republic of Congo. It is a majority ethnic group in Rwanda. The 2015 census shows that it comprises 84% of the total population. Hutu migrated to the Great Lakes Region as a result the Bantu expansion. Hutu speakers speak Rwandan-Bundu. This language is further divided into Kinyarwanda or Kirundi which are the official national languages of Rwanda and Burundi. Tutsi form a subgroup of Banyarwanda, which is mostly found in Rwanda or Burundi. About 15% of Rwandans are Tutsi, making them Rwanda’s largest ethnic group. Tutsi is divided into 2 groups. The Tutsi of Northern Rwanda are called Ruguru. The Tutsi of Southern Burundi, on the other hand, are called Hima. Since more than 400 years, Tutsi people have been living in Rwanda. The Tutsis are native speakers of Rwanda-Rundi (a combination of Kinyarwanda & Kirundi).
French is spoken in France as a third or second language. Twas are the most enduring people of Great Lakes, currently inhabiting Burundi. Uganda. Rwanda. In Rwanda, the Twa are a small ethnic group that makes up less than 1% of total population. The Twa, semi-nomadic hunters & gatherers who live in agricultural communities with their farming neighbors. Arriving in Rwanda with Hutu in the 15th AD, the Twa were distinct and of mixed ancestry. The Twa had to move away from the mountains forests due to increased logging and agriculture. In the end, they were marginalized by a lack of access to essential amenities, such as schools, and continued to be discriminated and treated with prejudice because of their pygmy origins.
Society’s beliefs and values
Umushanana was the traditional Rwandese dress made of barkcloth and animal skin. Clothing is made up of a long, full-length skirt with a ribbon that wraps around the shoulder. A blouse is worn on top. Traditional male clothing consists of wrapper skirts and beads. Rwandese food staples include sweet potatoes and beans. They also eat cassava and mashed cassava. Lake Kivu residents eat tilapia, mud fish or other fish that are commonly caught. As well as beef, pork, and goat, these meats are eaten either roasted or stewed. Dairy is also produced by local Rwandese who are prominent cattle breeders. The milk is fermented and used to make Ghee or Ikivuguto.
Rwandese artisans are well-versed in the art of handcrafting. They can make a variety of items, including clay pots. Handcrafts are produced in villages such as Ivuka, Rwanda Nziza or Caplaki. Rwandan crafts can be found in all regions, each with its own unique craft. In the south-east, for example, Imigongo (cow dung mixed in with soils of different colors) is very popular. Rwanda’s festival focus on its rich culture and art. Rwandan Film Festivals include Hillywood Film Festival and Rwandan Mini Film Festival. The Rwandan Mini Film Festival takes place annually in March and gives amateur filmmakers from around Rwanda the opportunity to show off their talent. Hillywood Film Festival was created to promote Rwanda’s growing industry and hope it will be like the Nigerian industry one day. Every July, the festival showcases the talents of African filmmakers. A gorilla naming ceremony is also held in Kiningi every year.
In Rwanda during the three month period in 1994, 800,000 Tutsis as well as moderate Hutus died in the Rwandan Genocide. The United Nations declared April 7th the Day of Remembrance of the Rwandan Genocide Victims. Rwandans honor the 800,000.0 victims who died during the genocide. Many people in the world honor the victims by lighting a candle and observing a moment’s silence. During festivals, weddings and social gatherings there are usually music, drama and dance performances.
Rwandese dances are divided into two main categories: Intore, which is a dance that encourages fighters or hunters to fight and Inkinimba, which is a dance performed by farmers in celebration of their harvest. Inkinimba is performed to tell stories of the culture and history of the country, or to honor fallen Rwandese heros. All these performances are accompanied by instruments like the Amakonder, a Rwandese Cow Horn, Inanga and Ingoma, drums and Onigiri, a locally-made guitar, and Muduli. In the past, the hill was a grouping of families who lived on a particular hill. Each hill had its own chief who served as a link between the populace and the monarch. Chieftaincies have been abolished since the 1960s. However, most people live in family compounds that are surrounded by fields and banana groves.
Men and woman are equally divided in the agricultural sector. Men break up the ground and assist the women, while the women take care of most day-to-day activities like planting, harvesting, and weeding. In addition, men are in charge of the heavier jobs, like building, while women take care of the family, raise children, and cook food. Men and women are also treated differently in Rwanda. Women in Rwanda have very limited political power and economic power. Women’s groups in Rwanda have been trying to elevate the status women, but they have not had much success.
