CEKA I RWANDA Online Shop: CEKA I RWANDA launch 1st ever crowdfunding grassroots campaign to safeguard Rwandan cultural heritage

Who is Ceka I Rwanda?

Ceka I Rwanda is a non-profit (non-profit) organization founded by iconic Rwandan traditional music artist Cécile Kayirebwa. Founded in Belgium in 1996, the organization aims to protect, preserve and transmit the rich Rwandan cultural heritage and its expression through music, poetry and dance in order to keep it alive.

Why should traditional Rwandan culture be preserved?

In Rwanda, it is not only globalization and modernity that play a role in endangering its cultural heritage, but also Rwandan history, from colonialism to war and genocide. When a nation loses its culture, it is like losing its sense of unity and sense of self as the famous historian Alexis Kagame wrote in 1969:

"A nation without intellectuals is a nation without a soul, a nation without guardians of traditions is a nation without personality of its own".

How does Ceka I Rwanda address the problem?

Ceka I Rwanda aims to collect cultural data from elders and traditional knowledge holders to collect and preserve traditional Rwandan music and poetry as well as dance. The intention is to work with seniors, historical knowledge holders, and other gifted people like musicians, composers and storytellers in the mission of preserving Rwandan culture now - for the future.

What are the benefits for the Rwandan society?

Thanks to the work of Ceka I Rwanda, the traditional cultural treasures of Rwanda will be kept alive, digitized and adapted for consumption in the new digital era. This will benefit all Rwandans who have access to it, this work promotes understanding and is also an opportunity to connect with their own traditional cultural past and use that as cultural capital in the future. It would also be a valuable material for research, history and education on Rwandan culture for Africans and the rest of the world. Moreover, it will benefit Rwandan understanding as a unified nation built on the basis of a deep and rich cultural heritage that is beyond our imagination.

How to help make a difference?

Today, no Rwandan organization is working intentionally to preserve Rwandan traditional culture, especially with regard to music and it is essential for our society to gather and unite their efforts to this end today. The tangible commitment of Rwandan society will help ensure that the vision and mission of Ceka I Rwanda are implemented and the Rwandan culture is kept alive. You can also help by signing up and following our upcoming crowd funding campaign.