Digital illustration of Nyirarumaga by Odile Uwera NyirandegeyaRwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
Who was Nyirarumaga
Born into the Abasinga clan, Nyirarumaga arrived at the court as a young poetess. Rising through the ranks, she eventually became the adoptive mother of King Ruganzu II Ndoli, earning the esteemed title of queen mother.
Why Nyirarumaga was chosen as queen mother.
The queen mother held immense power, overseeing the royal household and wielding significant influence in court politics. For King Ruganzu II Ndoli, whose kingdom had been recently defeated, having a mother from Abasinga was seen as a potential source of good fortune for Rwanda.
How Nyirarumaga was chosen as queen mother
For nearly eleven years, Bunyabungo (present-day Uganda) had occupied Rwanda, forcing the rightful heir to flee to Karagwe (present-day Tanzania). Among those yearning for his return was Nyirarumaga, whose unwavering faith and dedication made her a natural choice as queen mother.
Nyirarumaga, the founder of historiographic poetic form
As adoptive Queen Mother to King Ruganzu II Ndoli (1510-1543), Nyirarumaga played a crucial role in establishing poetry as a way to record and preserve the history of Rwandan kings. Her inaugural poem marked the day she assumed this monumental responsibility.
Dynastic poetry Impakanizi- an instrument recalling all past
Nyirarumaga's debut poem sparked a revolution. It laid out a new way to preserve Rwandan history: each king's story, verse by verse, punctuated by a chorus. To solidify this, she established the first chair of poets position, granting it prestige and power.
Nyirarumaga established hereditary poet lineages, safeguarding Rwanda's oral history for centuries until writing emerged during colonial times.
Content development: Chantal Umuhoza
Illustration: Odile Uwera
Curatorial layout: Chantal Umuhoza
