About Rwanda

A visit to Rwanda is an excellent introduction to the entire African continent – particularly because of the country’s very pleasant climate, the high levels of security and stability, the general friendliness of the people, and the ease of getting around and reaching all major attractions within a few hours. But beyond being a part of Africa, Rwanda is a small microcosm of its own. Due to its remoteness and hilly terrain, it was one of the last places to come in contact with the rest of the world. Rwandans are patriotic, proud and keeping to themselves which is why a very distinct culture was able to thrive. The current government’s strong embrace of globalization and ‘modern’ values has led to a fascinating mix of old and new, of traditions and change.

Physical geography:

Rwanda is a small and landlocked country on the border of East and Central Africa with a surface of 26,338km2. It lies about 120km south of the Equator, 1,200km west of the Indian Ocean and 2,000km east of the Atlantic Ocean. The neighbors include the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the west, Tanzania to the east, Uganda to the north and Burundi to the south. Despite the proximity to the Equator, Rwanda enjoys a rather mild climate with an average annual temperature of around 24°C and regular rainfall with two main rainy seasons from the middle of September to December and from the end of January to May. This is mainly due to the country's high altitude, ranging from 1,000m to 4,507m. Rwanda is literally the Land of a Thousand Hills, owing to its position on the eastern rim of the Albertine Rift Valley, part of the watershed of the Nile and Congo rivers.

History:

Five distinct periods characterize the history of Rwanda. They include the pre-colonial times until the late 19th century, the colonial times until 1962, the time of independence and continued tensions between the two main social groups, the genocide of 1994, and the post-genocide phase.

In pre-colonial times, the Rwandan society was organized as a kingdom and included three socio-economic groups - the cattle-raising Tutsi, the farming Hutu and the hunter-gathering Twa. Despite being the minority, the Tutsi traditionally assumed power under a feudal system. During colonial times, the kingdom came under the rule of Germany and, later, Belgium. Both colonial powers decided to accept, use and even further enforce this hierarchical system. Tensions started to grow and, by the time of independence in 1962, the majority Hutu overpowered the monarchy and formed Rwanda's first government. It followed a period of almost permanent instability with frequent clashes between Hutus and Tutsis, and several major incidents, including an open civil war that started in 1990. The tragic culmination point was the 'most effective genocide in world history' in 1994.

The post-genocide developments are nothing short of a 'miracle'. Today, Rwanda is one of the safest and most stable countries in Africa. Moreover, the government has set an impressive course towards sustainable economic development and poverty reduction.

Culture:

As Rwanda remained largely isolated from the rest of the world until late in the 19th century, the country and its population were able to develop a very diverse and dynamic culture. While globalization is starting to have a big impact on the 'modern' Rwandan society, old local customs and traditions are now blending with influences from the 'West' as well as the 'East'. They form an interesting mix and become every visitor's desire to explore and understand.

Moving along the lines of history offers a first approach to Rwandan culture. Despite the recent war and destruction, a number of cultural heritage sites have been preserved. Visitors can explore them on a challenging trip through '5 Centuries of East African Civilization'. Highlights include the National Museum, old King's palaces, grand buildings and tea estates from colonial times, or the remnants of the country's civil war and the genocide in the early 1990s.

While cultural heritage sites might be the main point of interest for many, it is usually the 'ordinary' images of the contemporary 'living' culture that leave the biggest impression. A must for most visitors is a performance of the elegant Intore dancers as well as an experience with widely praised handicraft producers that use a number of diverse materials such as banana leaves, sisal, wood, clay and even cow dung. But apart from that, any visit to a village, any personal interaction with a local person, any meaningful cultural exchange will create the images and stories of a unique friendly people and their beautiful country.