Ethnographic Museum

This Museum is well-equipped to provide outstanding information about the social, cultural and archaeological collection of Rwandan heritage. The Museum building was built in 1987 and opened to the public in September 1989 following a relocation from its previous premises in 1956 as the collection was ever-growing and increasingly varied since first acquisitions done from 1946. The design of the museum building is mainly inspired by the rich culture of Rwanda as many of its aspects are intrinsically integrated into the design of the whole museum complex. For illustration, its roof reflects not only the landscape of the country, but also, it’s like the poly-rhythmicity of the traditional drum; the brickwork expresses the artistic production of Rwandan art with its variety of traditional patterns, etc. Within its 2700 square meters of pavilions, the Museum gives to visitors a rich insight about the social and cultural life of Abanyarwanda. The six galleries have a permanent exhibition showcasing the geography of Rwanda, the daily life since their early history, the stock-raising, the craftsmanship, the traditional architecture, games and leisure, clothing, finery and jewels, etc. Around 14,000 objects are present in the museum's galleries and stores and are available to visitors and researchers with interest in Rwanda’s heritage and history. In the external compound, the Ethnographic Museum of Rwanda offers a live experience related to the natural and cultural heritage of the country. This is expressed via a visit to a botanical garden created in early 2000s with a variety of traditional species; a reconstitution of a traditional compound, urugo, offers as well a unique experience especially with the surrounding species that offer a particular scenery. Alongside, a Traditional Training Centre established in 1997 offers to visitors and the community around the museum, the opportunity to exercise to make their own baskets based on traditional techniques, pottery or decorate an object with beads. To complete cultural experience, since 1996, a cultural dance troupe, Urugangazi, is performing live traditional dances and is highly appreciated by museum’s visitors or those attending cultural events outside the museum. In order to update its display, as well as continue to preserve the Rwandan heritage and being more engaged with the community, the Ethnographic Museum of Rwanda has since 2020, embarked on renovating and decolonizing its exhibition and expand its building. This is being done in collaboration with the Royal Museum for Central Africa (Africa Museum) based in Tervuren. It is a project that will run for 10 years, with scientific and technical works that aim to provide a better understanding and conservation of Rwanda’s cultural history.