Rwanda-Traditions+and+Culture

Rwanda-Home =Art and Celebratory Traditions= In Rwanda, music and dance plays a very important role in the tradition of the people.They have a variety of music and dance which range from acts that demonstrate excellence and bravery to the roots of hunting. The Lulunga, a harp-like instrument with eight strings often accompanies traditional songs. Drum orchestras can also back up celebrator dances, which typically consists of 7-9 dancers, and collectively produce a hypnotic and exciting explosion set of intertwining rhythms. A more modern form of Rwandan music is the upbeat and harmonious devotional singing that can be heard in any church service around the country. A wide range of traditional handicrafts are produced in rural Rwanda, ranging from ceramics and basketry to traditional woodcarvings and paintings. A craft distinctively Rwandan is the "cow dung paintings" that are produced by locals. A "cow dung painting". [1]

At a show of Rwandan dance, singing, and drumming.A Rwandan drum circle. [2}

=Traditional Rwandan Food= The Rwandan diet consists mainly of sweet potatoes, beans, corn, peas, millet, and fruit. Their food is neither spicy nor hot. People eat simple meals made with locally grown ingredients. A traditional breakfast consists of sweet potatoes and porridge, which is a mixture of sorghum, corn and millet, mixed with milk. In urban areas such as Kigali, people usually have bread and tea for breakfast. Rwandans add A LOT of milk and sugar to their tea. Lunch and dinner usually consist of boiled beans, bananas, sweet potatoes or cassava. Umutsima (a dish of cassava and corn), isombe (cassava leaves with eggplant and spinach) and mizuzu (fried plantains) are common dishes. Dinner is the heaviest meal. Between meals, Rwandans snack on fruits. Tropical fruits such as avocados, bananas, mangos and papaya are abundant in Rwanda. Many Rwandan men enjoy drinking beer, but women rarely drink alcohol in any form. Although Rwanda has a large commercial brewery, many people make their own beer and alcohol. Ikigage is a locally brewed alcoholic drink made from dry sorghum and urwarwa is brewed from plantains. Rwandans who live in rural areas RARELY eat meat. Some families have cattle, but people seldom slaughter them for meat because they are worth more in their traditions. Many Rwandans in rural areas eat meat only once or twice a month and that can lead to Rwandan children suffering from protein deficiency. In urban areas, though, there is much more meat, and the two most popular meats are beef and chicken.

A recipe from Rwanda:

Isombe Ingredients 2 bunches cassava leaves washed and chopped (another leafy vegetable may be substituted) 2 green onions, chopped 2 medium eggplants, cut into chunks 2 packages spinach, washed and chopped 2 green peppers, sliced into pieces 3 tbsp palm oil 3 tbsp peanut butter

Preparation

Boil cassava leaves until tender. Add chopped green onions, eggplant, spinach and green peppers. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes. Add palm oil and peanut butter. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, Serve with rice or bread.

1. "Indra the Storm-God." <[|http://www.jnanam.net/indra/indra-madhubani%20painting-ei.jpg>.] 2. "Rwandan Song, Dance, and Drum with Samputu and Ingeli." . Rwanda-Home