BUJUMBURA, December 12th (ABP) – The Vice-President of the Republic of Burundi, Prosper Bazombanza, opened on Tuesday December 10, 2024, the ceremonies marking the week dedicated to the 8th edition of the emblematic drum dance.
That 8th edition was celebrated under the theme: “All Burundians, let us celebrate the 10th anniversary of the introduction of the emblematic drum dance to the intangible heritage of humanity, may our culture be the foundation of development towards the vision of Burundi, an emerging country in 2040 and developed in 2060”.
In his speech, Mr. Bazombanza pointed out that the drum is no longer just Burundi’s treasure, but that it has been on the list of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage for 10 years.
The Vice-President pointed out that culture has been the basis of Burundi’s objectives, and has enabled Burundians to have their own country based on the same shared language (Kirundi). That strength has made it possible to communicate in unity and love, to protect and defend the country, to share activities and productions, to have good relations and to reinforce cultural values.
In the face of the German colonial army, he added, the unity, courage and skill embodied in culture were able to animate the struggle of King Mwezi Gisabo’s army.
For him, the drum had long been used in several regulations of national life: lighting up activities that united many people, as an invitation during organized meetings, during the national Umuganuro festival. He thanked the elders who left us that treasure, not forgetting the drummers who never cease to remind us of it.
To protect that treasure, Mr. Bazombanza called on Burundians to teach their children about Burundian culture in general, but also to love and play the drum, in order to safeguard that wealth.
He urged drummers and all Burundians to plant Umuvugangoma, the tree used to make the drum. Above all, he called on the ministry responsible for the environment to multiply and protect that plant.
In addition to their dedication to culture through drumming, he called on the drummers, with the same courage, to engage in income-generating activities, in order to develop their families, and promote the development of the country in general. He also called on all Burundians to support the drummers as guardians of tradition. He reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting the drummers and safeguarding our tradition through the drum.