BUJUMBURA, March 17th (ABP) – Spoken for almost 3,000 years, Kirundi is the only language that marks the existence of Burundi and its people. It is used everywhere in all provinces of Burundi, making it the only communication tool understood by all Burundians across the country, and a treasure to be maintained. These are the explanations of Clément Bigirimana, the permanent executive secretary of the Rundi Academy, during an interview he gave to a check by ABP on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
According to him, not speaking one’s mother tongue reflects a lack of interest in, and a devaluation of it. “A Burundian who pretends not to speak their mother tongue has already crossed the line; it’s absurd,” he explained. Bigirimana demonstrated that when a Burundian speaks, one can define their region of origin. He referred to certain dialects such as Kimoso from Kumoso, Giha from Buha; Kibo from the Imbo region, and so on. Bigirimana indicated that there is a way in which some people mix Kirundi with other languages, which he considers to be a form of acculturation.
He did not forget to emphasize that speaking other languages is not a bad thing in itself. However, he encouraged those who speak Kirundi to master it properly. He explained the causes of language mixing, mentioning in particular that immigration and emigration contribute to it. He concluded by stating that it is foreigners who contribute to the destabilization of Kirundi.
According to Bigirimana, it cannot be said that other languages are unimportant, because all languages are tools that facilitate communication, just like Kirundi. “These languages allow us to transmit a message from one person to another or from one person to a group. Thus, when a Burundian converses with another Burundian, they exchange not only ideas, but also behaviors, ways of speaking, approaches, and so on.”
However, the true Burundian language is at risk of disappearing in primary and secondary schools, whether be in public or private schools, as the number of students enrolled in language classes has declined. Moreover, he points out, in some cultural centers, markets, public and private institutions; the use of Kirundi has become poor.
It is worth noting that on March 17 of this year, classes are planned to promote and enhance Kirundi. These sessions will take place at the Lycée du Saint-Esprit, located in Gihosha, in Bujumbura City Council.