Harvest day celebration by Rwanda MuseumsRwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
The First Harvest feast ritual
More than just a feast, inzira y'umuganura was the pinnacle of Rwanda's 18 royal rituals. Presided by the king and umuganura ritualists, this harvest celebration conveyed the king's approval of agricultural achievements, solidifying unity and prosperity.
Granary by Musee National du RwandaOriginal Source: Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
The harvest feast in Pre-colonial era
Umuganura, a cornerstone of Rwandan life, saw the whole kingdom, from the highest authority to individual families, celebrate the fruits of their agricultural labor in a unified festival of thanksgiving.
At a National level, the celebration of Umuganura was led by the King and the head of royal ritualists ‘Abiru’ called “Umutware w’Umuganura” coming from the abatsobe clan, who were as powerful as the King and the Queen-Mother.
Ivubiro ry'i Huro by Rwanda MuseumsRwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
Huro: A place for Umuganura ritualists
Assisted by cultivation ritual leaders, the Umuganura ritual leader ruled Bumbogo (now Gakenke District), an autonomous region in north central Rwanda. A meteorological pot called ivubiro had been installed in Huro for Umuganura ritualists to monitor the cultivation period.
Traditional hoe bladeOriginal Source: Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
Did you know that the Umuganura was celebrated in 4 phases?
The Umuganura lasted 10 months from August to June, and the initial phase consisted of handing over new hoes to the cultivation ritualists directly by the King in early August to sow sorghum and finger millet. The events took place at Huro.
Traditional Hoe blade (7)Original Source: Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
The fertility ritual
In January or February, a sample of newly harvested eleusine cereals, umurorano, was brought to the royal court to be used in the ritual of fertility. With umurorano flour, the King and a Queen symbolically prepared bread and served it to seers.
Two broken ritual pots in situ at Rubengera archeological site by Rwanda MuseumsRwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
The designation of Umuganura royal capital
The royal capital where the King received umurorano was determined through divination. He stayed there till the end of the first fruit ritual festival performances in June. Rubengera has beaten the record as the town that hosted the harvest feast ceremonies at least seven times.
Storing harvested foodRwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
Sending the big basket
The third stage of the first harvest feast ritual umuganura consisted of sending the big basket, igitenga, to Huro to collect sorghum cereals. This basket was collected from the royal court in February or March and returned after filling it with sorghum grains.
Giving milk to kidsRwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
The D-day: Celebration of Umuganura in June
The King, Queen-Mother, umuganura ritual leader and the Queen symbolically prepared the sorghum bread, ate, and solemnly served it to participants to signal the King’s celebration of a bountiful harvest and an assurance for prosperous farming activities in the following year.
King Yuhi V MusingaOriginal Source: Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
The Harvest Feast in the colonial period
Umuganura was abolished by colonial power in 1925 when the last Umuganura ritualist, Gashamura was chased out of the country and forced to go into exile. Six years later, King Yuhi Musinga, a fervent defender of Rwandan culture and identity was also chased out of the country.
Harvest celebrationRwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
The reintroduction of Umuganura
In 2011, the government of Rwanda has revived umuganura to foster the unity of Rwandans. It is celebrated on the first Friday of August each year. The population and leaders at all levels come together to share the harvest and assess the achievement in all sectors.
Content development: Andre Ntagwabira
Content editing: Chantal Umuhoza
Curatorial layout: Chantal Umuhoza
