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President Kagame emphasizes the importance of upholding rwandan culture

By Esther Muhozi
On 17 June 2024 at 02:45

In a recent address to the nation during an Interview with , the President of Rwanda emphasized the vital role of media in preserving and promoting Rwandan culture. He highlighted the importance of continuous cultural education through media channels, drawing from his own childhood experiences with Radio Rwanda’s talk show "Waruziko," which means "Did You Know?"

"Growing up, I used to listen to ’Waruziko’ on Radio Rwanda," the President reminisced. "This show was a treasure trove of knowledge, discussing a variety of topics that were deeply rooted in our culture. One segment that stood out to me was about herbal medicine. I vividly remember learning about ’Inyabarasanya,’ a herbal remedy. In 1983, when I got a wound, I applied this herb on myself using banana fiber as a bandage, and it worked wonders."

The President’s anecdote underscores the significance of traditional knowledge and the need to pass it down through generations. He believes that such educational talk shows play a crucial role in this endeavor and should be revived and encouraged.

Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of mastering Kinyarwanda, the native language, alongside any other languages Rwandans may choose to learn. "A clever person can act foolish, but a foolish person cannot act intelligent," he quoted a proverb, illustrating the idea that true wisdom and cultural knowledge are irreplaceable.

The President urged media outlets to take responsibility for feeding the society with cultural content. He stressed that while embracing modernity and globalization is essential, it should not come at the expense of losing one’s cultural identity. "It’s perfectly fine to mix languages and embrace different cultures, but we must ensure that we speak Kinyarwanda fluently and preserve our heritage," he asserted.

In conclusion, the President’s message was clear: the media must play an active role in upholding Rwandan culture. By doing so, they not only educate the public but also instill a sense of pride and identity in the younger generation. The revival of cultural talk shows like "Waruziko" can be a step towards achieving this goal, ensuring that traditional knowledge and values continue to thrive in modern Rwanda.


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