National Ethnographic Museum of Rwanda – The National Ethnographic Museum of Rwanda is nestled in the charming town of Butare, a 35-kilometer drive from Kigali City.
It offers a window into the country’s rich cultural past, providing a fascinating glimpse into the traditions, customs, and stories that shape Rwanda’s identity.
This museum was a gift from Belgium’s king in the 1980s and currently houses one of Africa’s finest ethnographic collections.
It consists of seven galleries displaying historical artifacts, accompanied by visual aids that offer visitors a deep insight into Rwanda’s culture.
The exhibits include a wide range of wonders, from traditional clothing to items used in hunting, agriculture, animal husbandry, pottery, basket weaving, and woodwork.
Cattle are highly valued in Rwanda, and their importance is highlighted in the museum, with some of the herd represented from the king’s palace in nearby Nyanza.
The museum is also known as the site of the murder of Queen Dowager Rosalie Gicanda due to events that transpired in the past, but it continues to hold beautiful memories of Rwanda’s history.
It hosts a highly regarded craft center that sheds light on Rwanda’s vibrant traditions.
Although it was once destroyed, the museum was later restored and now occupies over 20 hectares of land, including indigenous vegetation and a traditional craft training center.
The building contains seven rooms, each illustrating the journey of Rwanda’s people from ancient times to the present.
The first room, located at the main entrance hall, serves as a gallery for professional exhibitions and showcases handcrafts available for sale.
The second room presents a picture of Rwanda’s environmental, physical, ecological, and geographical history, as well as its early inhabitants.
The third room showcases the daily life of the local people, including farmers, hunters, and livestock keepers.
The fourth room follows with displays of handmade crafts such as mats, baskets, pottery, wooden shields used in Intore traditional dance, and leatherwork.
The fifth room highlights different styles and methods of traditional architecture, including how a royal hut is constructed.
The museum is said to attract over 500,000 visitors from around the globe and houses books written in both English and Kinyarwanda, which help visitors gain a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s history.
In addition to the National Ethnographic Museum, Rwanda has other museums that offer rich insights into traditional Rwandan culture.
These include the Rukari Ancient History Museum, Nyanza-Rwesero Art Museum, and Kigali-Kandt House.
You can reach the National Ethnographic Museum of Rwanda by bus or taxi. We love you all!
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