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 - EastOriginal Source: Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy

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 jugOriginal Source: Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy

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 (10)Original Source: Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy

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.

Fumigator (3)Original Source: Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy

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 (4) by MinaniOriginal Source: Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy

Butter churn - Igisabo

The Igisabo (butter churn) from pumpkin wood, was used to make butter out of milk.

Butter calabashOriginal Source: Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy

Butter dish - Icwende

Made from pumpkin, the icwende (butter dish) was used to keep body butter for the skin.

Butter Dish (6)Original Source: Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy

The butter dish - Umukondo

Made from Umusave (wood nile tulip), the butter dish umukondo was used to store butter for cooking.

Wooden potOriginal Source: Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy

The Igicuba

From wood, the milk pot igicuba was used for providing water to cows.

Credits: Story

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

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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