Festivals & Events

1. Umuganura ni umunsi mukuru w'umusaruro mu Rwanda.

   Umuganura is the traditional harvest festival of Rwanda.

   Usage

   Used when explaining Rwanda's important cultural celebration

   Grammar Note

   "ni" is the copula "is". Harvest is "umusaruro" (the harvest season is "isarura"). Note: "ingano" means "wheat" or "size", not "harvest"

2. Kwibuka ni igihe cyo kwibuka amateka mabi.

   Kwibuka is the time to mourn and remember dark history.

   Usage

   Used when explaining Rwanda's genocide memorial period in April

   Grammar Note

   "igihe cyo" means "the time for". The name of the memorial period, "Kwibuka", is itself the infinitive "to remember", so the same word serves as the verb. Note: "gutuza" means "to be quiet / to calm down", not "to mourn"

3. Umuganda ni akazi k'ubufatanye bw'igihugu.

   Umuganda is a national community work day.

   Usage

   Used to explain Rwanda's monthly community work day on the last Saturday

   Grammar Note

   "bw'igihugu" is a possessive meaning "of the nation"

4. Ryari batangira Festivali y'Ubwiza bw'Urwanda?

   When does the Rwanda Cultural Arts Festival begin?

   Usage

   Used when asking about the dates of a Rwandan cultural festival

   Grammar Note

   "ryari" is a question word asking "when"

5. Kubyina kw'Intore ni igice cy'umuco w'u Rwanda.

   The Intore dance is part of Rwandan culture.

   Usage

   Used when explaining the traditional warrior dance of Rwanda

   Grammar Note

   "igice cy'" means "a part of". Dancing is expressed with the infinitive "kubyina" used as a noun, which takes the class 15 connective "kw'". Note: "ikinamico" means "a theatre play", not "a dance"

6. Ese hari imyidagaduro ku munsi mukuru?

   Is there entertainment on the holiday?

   Usage

   Used to ask about entertainment during a holiday

   Grammar Note

   "ku munsi mukuru" means "on the holiday"

7. Ubwenge bw'umuco w'u Rwanda buranga imizi myiza.

   Rwanda's cultural wisdom reflects a rich tradition.

   Usage

   Used when speaking about the depth of Rwandan culture

   Grammar Note

   "buranga" means "reflects" or "shows"

8. Umunsi w'Ubwigenge ni umunsi mukuru w'icyubahiro mu Rwanda.

   Independence Day is a proud national holiday in Rwanda.

   Usage

   Used when explaining Rwanda's Independence Day on July 1st

   Grammar Note

   "umunsi w'" means "day of"

9. Abaturage bizihiza umunsi mukuru w'ingabo.

   Citizens celebrate on Armed Forces Day.

   Usage

   Used when describing celebrations on Rwanda's Armed Forces Day

   Grammar Note

   "to celebrate" is "kwizihiza" (3rd person plural "bizihiza") and the army is "ingabo". Note: "gukinisha" means "to play with / to tease" and "intwaro" means "weapon", so neither fits a national commemoration

10. Ibirori birangwa abantu benshi bava hirya no hino.

    The festival attracts many people from all over.

    Usage

    Used when describing large gatherings at festivals

    Grammar Note

    "bava hirya no hino" is an idiom meaning "coming from everywhere"

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