The Role of Cows in Rwandan society
Learn about the cultural and historical significance of cows in Rwanda.
Inyambo on displayOriginal Source: Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
Cows in Rwanda
The origin of cows in Rwanda is always linked to the Rwandan myths related to Nyiginya Dynasty. The latter started during the 12th century to the 20th century. Since then, the cow has had an important part of Rwandans’ economy, political and social life.
Cows by Rwanda MuseumsRwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
Beyond symbolizing wealth and power, cows have played a significant role in improving the lives of Rwandans, serving as a driving force for upward mobility and political standing. Today, the practice of gifting cows to impoverished families continues to combat malnutrition.
Inyambo on displayOriginal Source: Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
Social significance
Cows served many purposes, they could be paid as a dowry, given as a sign of friendship, or as hide for clothing. Their horns were also used to store valuable items, tendons used for making zither and bow strings, and dung used for decorative purposes and as insecticide.
Milk shelf (2)Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy
Cattle products
Products in order of economic interest were meat, skin, blood, nerves and tendons, bones and horns
Milk was the principal product and not for sale. Milk containers had special places in the houses and they were respected
Learn about few utensils related to cattle products below:
Milk shelf
The milk shelf, uruhimbi is typically used to display milk pots, milk calabashes and butter churns. This photo is a typical example of a milk shelf from Gisaka, the eastern south part of Rwanda. The patterns "Imigongo" are from cow dung decorated with kaolin and black soot.
Milk pot - Injome
Mostly made from the umusave (wood Nile Tulip), the milk pot with a very narrow lip, Injome was used to serve milk to children and people of old age.
Milk pot - Inshongero
The wooden milk pot Inshongero usually displayed suspended in its net, was used by people from East - Nothern Rwanda to serve milk.
The fumigator - Igicunga
This ceramic vessel was used to hold special plants that could be burnt to sterilize the inside of inshongero (milk pot) to change the smell of the milk pots.
Butter churn - Igisabo
The Igisabo (butter churn) from pumpkin wood, was used to make butter out of milk.
Butter dish - Icwende
Made from pumpkin, the icwende (butter dish) was used to keep body butter for the skin.
The butter dish - Umukondo
Made from Umusave (wood nile tulip), the butter dish umukondo was used to store butter for cooking.
The Igicuba
From wood, the milk pot igicuba was used for providing water to cows.
Content development: Karangwa Jerome, Yvette Tuyishime & Chantal Umuhoza
Curatorial Layout: Chantal Umuhoza
References from books:
1) Rwanda, It's Cultural Heritage, Past and Present by Institut des Musees Nationaux au Rwanda, 2008
2) Rwanda, A journey through the National Museum collection by Celestin Kanimba Misago & Thierry Mesas, 2003
