IGITARAMO: GUCA IMYEYO (CONTACT FM 08/08/2005)

IGITARAMO by Dady de Maximo Mwicira-Mitali Aired at CFM Rwanda on 08/08/2005, Topic of today : GUCA IMYEYO Rwanda History and Culture show on I. Royal Literature Ubucurabwenge - a royal genealogical list Ibitekerezo - a collection of royal myths Ibisigo - a collection of royal poetry Ubwiru - a set of royal rituals 2.The Genealogical Lists Ubucurabwenge The term "Ubucurabwenge" may be translated as the forging of intelligence, or mind 3.The list was recited in ascending order, beginning with the reigning King and Queen Mother, and ending with Muntu (Man, Mankind), the first King of Men, whose father was Kigwa, son of Shyerezo Nkuba, the King of Heaven. The forty-three reigns are grouped in three dynasties: Ibimanuka: the "Descents", or the Divine Kings Abami b'Umushumi: the Kings of the Cord Abami b'Ibitekerezo: the Kings of Mind The Ubucurabwenge lists were recorded and published by Rwandan scholar Alexis Kagame in his book Inganji Kalinga (Kabgayi, 2nd ed. 1959, Book II, pp. 98-101). 4.The Royal Myths Ibitekerezo The term "Ibitekerezo" means both "thoughts" and "narratives. Rwandan mythology is patterned on the genealogical lists, and just like the poetry Ibisigo, follows the chronological order given in the royal lists. This appears clearly in A. Kagame's Inganji Kalinga cited above, and also in A. Coupez & Th. Kamanzi, Récits historiques rwanda (1964). 5.The Royal Poetry Ibisigo 6.The Royal Rituals Ubwiru The etymology of the term "Ubwiru" is not obvious. According to Alexis Kagame, Ubwiru means "inviolable secret", but this is only a reference to the fact that the priests Abiru were held to the strictest secrecy about the texts of royal rituals. The texts of the Ubwiru rituals, called "Inzira" (Ways, or Paths), were dictated to Alexis Kagame in 1945, and later edited and translated into French by M. d'Hertefelt and André Coupez, and published in a bilingual edition (MRAC, Tervuren, 1972) 7.II. Other Types of Literature Rwanda has an equally impressive array of the more popular type of oral literature. the popular literary genres: Amateka y'Imiryango: histories of the major families of Rwanda Ibyivugo: Self-praises and heroic poetry Indirimbo z'Ingabo: heroic hymns and army music Amazina y'inka ("Cow Names"): pastoral poetry Imyasiro: hunting poetry Imigani: proverbs and sayings Ibisakuzo: riddles and enigmas Inanga: songs by inanga musicians (Inanga is a traditional string instrument),imihango n'imiziririzo Songs: lullabies, love and praise songs, group work songs, etc.