UNIT 12:CIVILIZATION OF PRE-COLONIAL RWANDA
Key unit competence: The student-teacher should be able to analyze the civilization of pre-colonial Rwanda
Introductory Activity
Do you think that in the Pre-colonial period, Rwandans had managed to develop different elements of their civilization? If you think so, write down a 500 word text justifying your assertion.
The term “civilization” refers to the process through which people settling on a territory improve their ways of living during a given period of time. This concept is also defined as a set of characters, distinct signs, pertaining to intellectual, artistic, moral and material life of a country or a given society. Civilization also refers to the great advance in highly developed culture and way of life when people began to farm, form governments, use metals, develop cities and use writing.
12.1. Social organization of the Pre-colonial Rwanda
Learning activity 12.1
Define the concept of civilization. Thereafter, describe the social organization of the Pre-colonial Rwanda.
12.1.1. Family, lineage and clan
The social organization of Pre-colonial Rwanda was based on three main elements including nuclear family, lineage and clan.
The nuclear family was a key element of this organization. It was composed of the husband, his spouse and children if they had them. For polygamy, a man had many wives and single children. Every wife had her own homestead and their husband used to visit them one after one.
In case of death of a spouse, a woman would remarry with one of the members of the family of the deceased in order to form a Leviticus family. The children resulting from this union were socially considered at the same level like those of other spouses.
Lineage
The lineage is a set of several families descending from one common and real ancestor and recognizable because of the genealogical tree traces. People who claim the same lineage take on the name of the common ancestors. Besides carrying a proper genealogic remembrance, the members of the same lineage have kept a minimum residential unity. In the traditional Rwanda, there was minor lineage, inzu and majorlineage, umuryango.
Clan
“The term “clan” means a group of people who claim to be descendants from one common mythical ancestor. The term “clan” corresponds to the term “ubwoko”. Clans also have animal totems.
The clan is a set of several lineages claiming a same mythic common ancestor, but rather far off and fictitious. It is not easy to trace it using a genealogical tree. The members of same clan share the same culture, same taboos and same totem.
11.1.2. Alliance and solidarity in traditional society
The alliance between families and individuals was reinforced and maintained through marriage and solidarity.
Traditional marriage
In traditional Rwanda, a daughter was considered as a linking factor between families. Marriage was a union between a man and woman, after the former had paid dowry (cow, goats and hoes) and after organizing ceremonies where big quantities of beer were served.
A part from marriage, there was also solidarity blood pact (Kunywana / Guca ku nda) rescuing (Gutabarana) giving a cow (Guhana inka)
11.1.3. Division of labor
In the Rwandan society, it is worth noting that every able member even young children had to be active. But all members of the society were not equally strong. Therefore, there were activities reserved for certain categories of people: men, women and children.
For men: to fish, to hunt, to dig the fields, to build houses, to herd cows or goats and to serve in the army;
For women: to look after babies, to maintain the house, to prepare the food, to weave, to fetch water and to collect firewood;
For children: to collect firewood, to fetch water, to herd cows or goats, to sweep or clean house.
However, as the children grew up, parents began initiating them in the work of adults according to their sex. Boys educated by their father and girls educated by their mother (mu rubohero).
Application activity 12.1
1. Basing on the definitions and features of the lineage and clan, compare and contrast these two concepts.
2. Explain different roles played by clans in the Pre-colonial Rwanda.
12.2. Cultural organization
Learning activity 12.2
During the Pre-colonial period, the kingdom of Rwanda was already endowed in matter of cultural organization. Analyze to which extent this affirmation can be justified.
12.2.1. Traditional religion
Conception of Imana (God)
In the Pre-colonial period, Rwandans were monotheists who believed in One Supreme Being. They commonly accepted their God (Imana) as omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient.
However, there were no rites for Imana, no temple to worship Imana but Imana is present in throughout some aspects of the daily living of Rwandans.
Omnipresence of Abazimu
By “Abazimu” we understand spirits of the departed or dead. According to the belief of Banyarwanda, a human being is made up a visible part (body) and an invisible part (soul). Upon dying, the union of body and soul disappears and in a mysterious way the soul is transformed into a spirit called in Kinyarwanda “Umuzimu”.
Guterekera or culture for ancestors
This rite concerns to offer some things as food or drinks to Umuzimu. That rite took place in small house called Indaro. The gestures are accompanied by oral requests formulation according to circumstances.
Kubandwa
The rite of Kubandwa is a ritual ceremony accomplished in two steps and consists to offer the offertories to Ryangombe and other Imandwa.
People of Ancient Rwanda performing the rite of kubandwa
The first stage of kubandwa is “Kwatura and the second step, called “Gusubizwaho” or “Gusubira ku ntebe”. A similar cult was practiced in the north of the country and it was rendered to Nyabingi. She was a noble woman never married and died very old. After her death, her followers (Abagirwa or Ababyukurutsa) spread her cult.
12.2.2. Rites and Taboos
The Rites (Imigenzo/Imihango) and taboos (Imiziro) can be considered to have been in the framework of religion in traditional Rwanda. They are part of beliefs which influenced behavior of ancient Rwandans. Rites were activities that were performed in a particular way or occasion at ceremony as the naming a child (Kwita Umwana or Gusohora umwana), marriage, funerals… while Taboos were activities that were not allowed to be done because they could bring curses. E.g. Kwica inyamanza, kwicara ku isekuru, etc.
Application activity 12.2
1. In the Pre-colonial period, Rwandans had their own way of believing in God. Write a 250 words text explaining the concepts of Imana(God), Nyabingi and Imandwa during that time.
2. Write short notes to explicate the following terms: Taboo, guterekera, kubandwa
12.3. Political and military organization
Learning activity 12.3
The Pre-colonial Rwanda was politically and militarily well organized. Justify this statement.
The political and administrative structure of pre-colonial Rwanda mainly that of the 19th Century, was built on four pillars, namely a monarchy conceived in terms of a theocracy, a two-headed monarchy (King and Queen Mother), a policy of territorial aggrandizement, conquest and patriotism
12.3.1. Political organization
The Pre-colonial Rwanda had several institutions reinforcing the king and his representatives. These institutions include Ubwiru (court secrets), Ubuhake (gifts of cows), Ubusizi (dynastic poetry was important in legitimizing the ruling king), Ubucurabwenge (knowledge on the dynastic genealogy), Ibitekerezo by’Imiryango (family historic narratives), etc.
The Ancient kingdom of Rwanda was divided into Ibiti or Districts which were large constituencies covering several hills and villages. Ibiti were divided into Ibikingi which were a collection of different hills where administrative authority was exercised. Igikingi consisted of division (a hill or a sub-hill) rich in pastures which was part of the provincial division.
The Ibikingi were similar to sub-chieftaincy divisions of the colonial era and there were two types of Ibikingi: the‘administrative Igikingi’ and ‘pastoral Igikingi’.
King (Umwami )
The king was very honoured in Ancient Rwanda. He occupied the topmost position in the political, administrative and military hierarchy to the extent that these functions were closely linked. Following his nomination, the king identified himself as a separate entity from the nobility. The kingdom of Rwanda was sacred and the king was therefore supposed to have the divine origin. The king was the sole proprietor of everything and had every right to life and death over his subjects. He was also in charge of the armies, lawmaker and supreme judge. His sentences had no appeal.
Queen-mother (Umugabekazi )
She was usually the mother of the king or his step mother. She could perform some ceremonies defined by the tradition. She was the confident of and chief advisor to the king. She could orient the king’s actions and act as regent in case the king came to the throne when he was still young.
Custodians of the esoteric code (Abiru)
They were the guardians of the tradition and royal secrets. They were high dignitaries and they came second as advisors of the king. They mastered the rites and symbolic procedures and processes of the country and their accomplishment. The king confided to them the name of his successor and he passed recommendations to the successor through them.
Chiefs (Abatware b’intebe)
They were the heads of Ibiti appointed by the king and lived most of their lives in the royal court. They were consulted by the king especially in the time of crises. They had the functions of controlling farmers and cattle keepers; supervising closely and control the functions of land and cattle sub-chiefs; commanding the army; raising taxes for the king, ikoro and other service; distributing land and to withdraw it from others if it was felt necessary
At the level of “Igikingi” the administration was insured by three chiefs. These chiefs were appointed by the king depending on their merit or the merit of their families.
The chief responsible of land (Umutware w’ ubutaka)
He was in charge of agricultural production and responsible for collecting royal tribute, “ikoro” from agricultural production. He had the responsibility to settle disputes arising from land issues like land distribution and settling new inhabitants on his land.
The chief responsible for cattle (Umutware w’umukenke)
He was responsible for pastures in his Igikingi and collected tax dues from cattle keepers. He had to know and supervise pastures reserved for Inyambo or cows for the royal court.
The army chief (Umutware w’ingabo) He had the role of commanding the army and participating in the fighting between Rwanda and its enemies. He was also in charge to settle disputes between other chiefs and conflicts between the pastoralists.
12.3.2.Military organization
In traditional Rwanda, the military institution was very strong and powerful. The army in Ancient Rwanda had the role of expanding country; participating in the different wars; fighting against cattle rustlers and various raids; ensuring territorial security.
At the royal court, there was a military training camp known as “Itorero” where the young men Intore recruited from among the king’s favorite chiefs learnt and practiced such values as generosity, courage, patriotism, the moral responsibility, self discipline, the quality of being a man, “kuba umugabo”.
Application activity 12.3
1. In the Pre-colonial Rwanda, the King, Queen-mother, Abiru and Chiefs played a paramount role in the administration and politics of their country. Write a 250 word text to prove this assertion.
2. Describe the role that was played by the institution of army in Rwanda during the pre-colonial period.
3. At every beginning of a new reign, the king had to start training his own army of young Rwandans. Identify different steps that were followed in this process.
12. 4. Economical organization
Learning activity 12.4
The economic domain, in the pre-colonial Rwanda, comprised of different sectors. Analyze the place of each of them in satisfying the needs of Rwandans during this period.
Economic organization in Ancient Rwanda was based on the following economic activities: agriculture, animal rearing, handicrafts and trade.
12.4.1.Agriculture
It was the principle activity and characterized by archaic production method (tools, crop rotation system, conservation methods…) which gave poor yields. Agriculture was subsistence in nature, this means individual or the family consumption. Cultivation was carried out according to climate seasons such as Umuhindo, Urugaryi, Itumba and Icyi or Impeshyi and he main crops cultivated were beans, sorghum, peas, maize, yams, bananas, tobacco, sweet potatoes.
12.4.2. Animal rearing
The animal production in Ancient Rwanda was mainly based on cattle rearing, goats, sheep and the keeping of the dogs and the bees.
12.4.3. Handicraft
It was a very important activity in the daily life of Rwandans. It was from handicraft that Rwandans could get most tools to satisfy their daily needs. They made clothes, metal and wooden objects destined for commercial purposes.
The clothes made were the Ishabure for the girls; Inkanda for the women; Uruhu for the men; Impuzu made from skin of umuvumu while ishabure, inkanda and uruhu were made from the skins of animals.
Metal tools made included spears, arrows, knives and hoes. Three regions of Rwanda had celebrity on making and production of hoes such as: Buberuka (Amaberuka) Buramba (Amaramba) Rusengesi (Amasengesi)
12.4.3.Trade
Trade system in traditional Rwanda involved exchange of goods for other goods, with was known as a barter system. The trade was mainly based on agricultural products, animal products and handicrafts.
Many markets or commercial centers through the country especially the northwestern regions were the following: Mushwiza, Ryabizige, Mulinzi, Mubuga, Butare, Kazirabageni, Mururu, Rwanza, Itetero, Buramba, Kaziba, Agasakuza, Miyove and Vunga.
The main imported products from the neighboring countries included the salt from Lake Eduard; the bracelet from Masisi and Buhavu; the perfume from Ijwi Island.
Application activity 12.4
1. Rwandans performed a number of economic activities including agriculture, animal rearing, trade and handicraft. Identify different items Rwandans were able to produce internally and these ones they could import from outside.
2. Metal working was very important during the pre-colonial period. Hoes were the main tools that were made up of metal. Identify different names of hoes manufactured and the place where this activity was carried out.
Skills lab
By reading different textbooks that have been written on the civilization of the Pre-colonial Rwanda, explain some positive aspects of this ancient civilization that are likely to be preserved today and the negative ones that deserve to be rejected.
End unit assessment
1. Analyze the role played by the nuclear family in the Pre-colonial Rwanda.
2. Differentiate a lineage from a clan.
3. In the Pre-colonial Rwanda, the King was at the top of the administrative and political hierarchy. He therefore played a vital role at this level of the life of his country. Comment on this statement.