Bee Keeping in Rwanda
Learn about the traditions and intangible heritage behind bee keeping in Rwanda.
Bee keeping by Rwanda MuseumsRwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
Beekeeping, practiced by specialists historically, provides income (primary or secondary) for many Rwandans. It yields honey, beeswax (umushashara), and honeycomb (urwenera) used in food and medicine. Honey itself symbolizes prosperity in Rwandan culture.
Did you know bees are respected and regarded positively?
The positive regard for bees was evident in Rwandan traditions. For example, if a bee landed in a butter churn, it was seen as a king visiting the home. This demanded a respectful ceremony with drumming and an offering of cows – even if a cow had to be borrowed.
Beehives by Rwanda MuseumsRwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
Traditions related to bee hives
Rwandan beekeeping traditions included several restrictions.
Menstruating women were forbidden near hives to protect the bees, while others avoided honey harvesting areas fearing curses from disgruntled beekeepers.
Beehive (2)Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
Materials for bee keeping (Beehives)
Traditionally, Rwandan beehives were crafted from various materials like papyrus straws, tree trunks, and even dung-mixed clay. The example pictured here is a bamboo hive reinforced with vines, a common construction method.
Wooden beehiveRwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
Wooden hive
Used at the forest's edge, this beehive consists of two half-round sections that open for honey collection.
BeehiveRwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
Woven hives
These hives are traditionally blocked on one end with a disc woven from banana leaves, while the other side has a removable woven cover, also made from banana leaves.
Musical HornOriginal Source: Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
Amavumu: The song of beekeepers
Rwandan beekeepers chant poems called "Amavumvu" praising bees and asking them to return to hives or avoid stings during harvest. This tradition, passed down for generations, reflects the deep respect for bees in Rwandan culture.
Fraternity by Philemon TwagiramunguRwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
The cultural significance of honey
In Rwanda, honey's value shone through honey beer (Umutsama) offered to esteemed guests. Beers with honey earned special names and boosted the recipient's status. For example, ikigage (sorghum beer) with honey became Inturire, and urwagwa (banana beer) with honey became Inkangaza
Beer with honey at wedding introductions
At wedding introductions and dowry ceremonies, the bride's family is presented with honey beer, symbolising respect and appreciation.
Beer pot - urunyweroOriginal Source: Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
Honey and Barter trade
The treated honey was kept in pots and was used to buy important items like hoes, butter and livestock.
Ryangombe's cult initiation by Rwanda MuseumsRwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
Honey and traditional Medicine
In Rwandan culture, honey has been used in medicine to treat various infections like healing wounds, throat infections,etc
Content development & Curatorial layout: Chantal Umuhoza
References:
Rwanda, a journey through the National Museum Collection. Celestin Kanimba Misago & Thierry Mesas
Rwanda, Its Cultural Heritage. Past and Present
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