The BK Arena was completely filled as thousands of people from all over Kigali gathered on Saturday, November 22, for an evening dedicated t...
The BK Arena was completely filled as thousands of people from all over Kigali gathered on Saturday, November 22, for an evening dedicated to celebrating Rwandan traditional music and dance. The fully booked event, called the Kigali Dutarame concert, attracted a variety of important guests, including government officials, several ambassadors, and renowned musicians like Cécile Kayirebwa, Jean Marie Muyango, DJ Pius, Christopher, and many more. From young individuals to older generations and foreigners residing in Kigali, the audience filled the arena to honor Rwandan heritage through performances by Rwanda's top artists leading the way in Gakondo music. ALSO READ: Everything is ready for the Kigali Dutarame concert—organizers. The concert began with a performance by the Intwarabahizi group, who presented three traditional dance acts that set the cultural tone for the night. After the opening performance, the Mayor of Kigali, Samuel Dusengiyumva, welcomed the crowd and highlighted the city’s commitment to promoting Rwandan culture through more accessible and enjoyable events. He praised the strong attendance, especially the youth and parents who brought their children, stating it showed how much the city values Rwanda's cultural heritage. "We want Kigali to be a city where people live well, work, and still have places to enjoy themselves through cultural events like this, and the Dutarame concert is the first of many to come," Dusengiyumva said. He also encouraged the audience to continue supporting local artists and thanked the partners who made the evening possible. ALSO READ: Why 'Gakondo' might be the future of Rwandan music With the speech, the concert had just begun as a series of artists on the long list started to take the stage, beginning with Ishyaka ry’Intore, whose energetic performance kept the momentum high. The troupe was followed by Boukuru, whose appearance changed the atmosphere with a more relaxed but engaging traditional style before making way for Teta Diana, whose voice received cheers from the enthusiastic audience. Next on stage was Ruti Joel, who delivered a powerful live performance that sparked conversations. Industry figures like Coach Gael were full of praise for what the artiste displayed on stage. “Talent like this doesn’t come often. A performer was born in Rwanda. Ruti Joel,” Gael, who was among the concert attendees, posted on his Instagram story. Ruti introduced Ibihame by’Imana, another cultural group that performed a lively traditional act. Their performance was followed by Inyamibwa, who continued the evening's theme of cultural celebration with breathtaking dance and music. A short break came next, during which the concert sponsor MTN gave prizes to winners selected from the crowd. This happened quickly before Inganzo Ngari took the stage. Their performance was one of the highlights of the night. Looking at the lineup, the event was coming to an end; however, Jules Sentore wasn't ready to let it go when it was his turn. Every part of his performance was full of energy. Finally, on stage was the man of the night Massamba Intore, whose performance with legendary musicians Cécile Kayirebwa and Muyango stole the show. Seeing the trio, who are considered champions of Rwandan culture music, on the same stage created a moment of emotion among the revelers in the area. Their joint performance stood out as the only way to close the concert on a meaningful cultural note. No one would perform after these legends. ALSO READ: How the Rwandan diaspora is promoting Gakondo to the world “I came because I love our culture and the traditional dances. That’s why I chose to dress this way,” Regis Byiringiro, one of the attendees, told The New Times after the concert. For Elisabeth Janet Turner, Rwandans need more cultural concerts like Kigali Dutarame, which she believes can foster the spirit of embracing Rwandan culture through music. “I love Rwandan culture,” she said. “I've lived here for almost 13 years, and I came expecting to enjoy myself, dance with others, listen to good music, and watch a great show.”
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