“Culture is like a flame, it only fades when we stop feeding it”. For years many have doubted whether traditions can survive far from home. But the Rwandan youth and their parents are proving that preserving culture abroad is not only possible but thriving.

On Saturday, November 30, 2024, families in the DMV area (Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia) gathered for a remarkable cultural event called Inkera—an overnight festivity filled with performances, riddles, and storytelling. Organized by Rwandans in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, the event brought the community together to celebrate their heritage. 

The highlight of the evening was a performance by the traditional dance troupe Ibirezi n’Amasonga, showcasing the talents of children and demonstrating how staying connected to one’s roots can be both meaningful and enjoyable.

Clickhere to watch a short clip highlighting how they preserve their mother tongue, traditional dances, and cultural storytelling.

The Rwandan parents emphasized their commitment to supporting their children in preserving their traditional culture, which forms the foundation of their identity as Rwandans.

Kagabo Mitali Alain, a parent and one of the children’s trainers, shared that the initiative to teach Rwandan culture has yielded positive results, even though it initially faced some resistance. He said:  
“In this country, with its diverse population, cultures are blended, and there is no consistent cultural identity. As parents, we decided to set an example and guide our children by instilling Rwandan values. We started with just a few children, and at first, they were not interested. Gradually, they began to see it as a way to bond as a family, referring to one another as relatives, which made them enjoy it more.”

Kagabo Mitali added that there are also plans to teach Kinyarwanda, particularly for children who currently know only a few words, with a goal of enabling them to use basic language skills by next year.  “Recently, we began teaching Kinyarwanda, dividing the children into groups based on their proficiency level, as some knew nothing. Our goal is that by June next year, each child will be able to engage in basic conversations.”

Dylan Cyuzuzo and Keza Oriane Bahunde, two participants, highlighted the importance of the program.   "I’ve learned that Rwandans are amazing people, and we must celebrate our culture to show its value. It teaches us about our origins and helps us communicate with our parents and grandparents in Kinyarwanda."  Dylan said.
Keza Oriane Bahunde added that the program has helped her learn more about Rwandan culture and represent her country well.  

The Ambassador of Rwanda to the U.S., Mathilde Mukantabana, stated: “This is all thanks to their parents, who not only care about their children but also stay informed about what’s happening in the homeland.

“Many parents here love their country and visit it, observing what children in Rwanda do and integrating it with their aspirations here. Every parent wishes for their child to know them, but you can’t know your parent without understanding where they come from and their culture."

The programme will be extended to allr 31 Rwandan communities in the U.S, she said.