Rukundo’s goes under the skin of colour perceptions Skin bleaching treatments are a global phenomenon. They are common in the Caribbean, Middle East, Asia, South America, and several African countries including Rwanda. Rwanda visual artist Baptiste Rukundo is among those who see a dark side to using lightening products. This …
Read More »Akizimana’s love of women
Artist uses art to depict beauty, struggles, generosity By Joseph Ondiek On a recent visit to Abien Arts Center in Kigali, we found the proprietor and resident artist, Fabien Akizimana busy on pieces he hoped to present to the panel of The East Africa Art Biennale association (EASTAFAB), from where …
Read More »Does art immortalise?
There is urgency of this message in Zulu’s works If there is a word Rwanda artists Mohamed Ndabaye, who is also known by his artistic name Zulu, likes to use when describing why he paints, it is “to immortalise”. “I created this painting to celebrate the joy of motherhood and …
Read More »Kigali Genocide Memorial reflects the mood of the times
The traffic to Kigali Genocide Memorial in Gizozi is now considerably big, considering the fact that this is a time several family members and friends visit the memorial site to lay wreaths of flowers on the graves, and pray for loved ones who lost their lives during the genocide. The …
Read More »RWANDA: Rescued albinos
Rejected by father, these boys found voice in music It’s one thing to be born. It’s quite another to be born different. Grace Uwingabiye discovered this in 1993 when she produced her first child – an albino. The following year, another one came; also an albino. The first one was …
Read More »RWANDA: Another look at tourism
Red Rocks to host Seeds of Hope Festival By Joseph Ondiek Rwanda is famous for its compelling tourist attraction, the most conspicuous one being gorilla trekking. And Musanze district in the Northern Province; the most mountainous district comprising the largest part of the Volcanoes National Park, is home of most …
Read More »RWANDA: Iwawa gives back to society
Former street kids turn to helping vulnerable women For many people, the mere mention of its Iwawa Island invokes fear and uncertainty. Fear that you have finally been nabbed by law enforcement officers and you do not know your fate and uncertainty for what’s going to become of you when …
Read More »21 graduate from Mama Rwanda initiative
Group supports vulnerable single mothers Emerance Mukasindambiwe, 30, is now a happy woman. For the last 10 months, she and a group of other 20 single mothers have been undergoing intensive training in sewing and tailoring at the Kacyiru-based Irembo Foundation project called ‘Mama Rwanda’. Their aim is to learn …
Read More »RWANDA: Swelling feet disease
Podoconiosis: A neglected tropical disease causing havoc in Rwanda rural areas A group of 25 people sit, their eyes downcast, on the verdant freshly mowed field at a churchyard in Musanze town. The sky above is thick with dark clouds, promising rains. It’s a perfect morning to be in their …
Read More »Rwandans preserving culture through dance
They concentrate on teaching the traditional music and what each of them means to children Any visitor to Rwanda will be struck by the sounds and rhythms of different kinds of traditional music played even in the capital city Kigali. Though Rwanda has different kinds of music today, traditional music …
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