Culture and history

Burundi's historical identity was formed around a centralized kingdom and mwami institution, then went through a period of German-Belgian colonization and independence in 1962.

The memory of the conflicts of the late 20th century and reconciliation programs today are combined with the revival of traditions and urban development of Bujumbura and the administrative capital of Gitega.

The core of the cultural code is kirundi (along with French and English), oral poetry and the famous "Royal Drummers of Burundi": ritual ensembles with huge "ingoma" set the rhythm for holidays and national festivals.

Crafts are alive in everyday life - basket weaving, weaving, wood carving and ceramics, in which geometric ornaments and natural motifs are read.

The cuisine relies on banana, legumes, cassava and Lake Tanganyika fish; street gastronomy are goat skewers and seasonal fruits.

The modern scene combines folk and Afropop, theater and cinema, school and church choirs; the diaspora of musicians strengthens the bridge between tradition and global rhythms.

This is the image of a country where the sacred sound of drums and craft techniques get along with new media art and urbanization.