A day in the life of a local artisan – Aziz life experience in Rwanda.
The Aziz Life experience is a distinctive opportunity to witness and learn about the lives of rural Rwandans and their households. Spend the day on the farm, learn to weave, and to also engage in other house chores like preparing a local meal with the ladies. This will help you to share and see their daily life experiences. It is a highly interactive approach to learning about Rwandan culture and tradition. An exploration can be for a day or you can engage in a multiple-day experience, depending on your interests and travel schedule.
Aziz life welcomes all groups of people, including families, friends, schools, and solo travelers. All activities start at the head office in Byimana, Ruhango in the southern province, approximately 2-hour drive from Kigali.
Activities involved in the Aziz life experience.
Participate in weaving
On arrival at the artisans, with the guidance of your tour guide, join the local artisan hostess in the village for morning family chores, and then prepare a traditional home-cooked lunch. In the afternoon, join the craftsmen and women and witness how they design their handmade crafts using local materials like fibers, sisal, and papyrus. You can create your own piece as you share knowledge, conversation, and laughter through your translator.
Traditional coffee experience
When you visit in the coffee harvesting season in March and August, your day’s experience will begin with driving to a nearby village where you will be welcomed by ladies in the Aziz life coffee processing section. You will visit the coffee farms and be educated about the methods of coffee production, from planting to the cup. Return to their home with some coffee beans. After lunch, you observe how the coffee cherries are locally turned into a consumable product.
At the end of the visit, share a cup of Rwandan coffee with the locals and also buy some of the already locally processed coffee to carry home.
The Imigongo art experience.
Imigongo art is said to have been introduced by the Tutsi community in the 18th century. Imigongo art initially was used to beautify the walls of royal palaces and noble homes, highlighting the artists’ significance and status.
Imigongo art is made with a unique blend of cow dung and natural pigments. Cow dung is mixed with soil to make a paste, which is then painted on wooden boards or walls in sophisticated patterns and designs. To construct the desired forms and lines, the painters use twigs and small wooden sticks. After the cow dung has dried, brilliant colors from natural sources, such as clay, charcoal, or plant extracts, are used to bring the artwork to reality.
During this experience, you will learn the history of this artistry. You will make one for yourself to take home and buy some pieces as souvenirs.
Banana juice making
In the morning of your Aziz experience, you will join the native men and women to the plantation to collect green bananas and leaves. Dig a hole, place some leaves first, then the bananas, and then cover with the remaining leaves and leave them to ripen. Since it takes 4-5 days for the bananas to ripen, you should book this activity ahead of time.
You will observe how the host women squeeze juice from the ripe bananas that were already prepared for your experience. You can taste the fresh juice, which they can later turn into local beer after fermenting it for some days.
The banana juice and beer is traditionally shared at weddings and parties. This unique cultural technique creates a love bond between members of the same community.
Traditional construction
When you visit the Aziz life premises for traditional construction, the host will provide some clothing to cover yourself as the activity involves a lot of mud and dust. In the early morning, join the host to collect water and soil. Observe how water and soil are mixed to make bricks. You can also try molding your bricks. After making your own bricks, dig the foundation and the host will show you how to construct using local materials. Lunch will be shared with the host family.
Traditional dancing and drumming
Your Azizi Life Musical Experience begins with a mini performance by a small group of traditional performers. Everyone, regardless of natural rhythm, can benefit from studying traditional drumming and dancing with our skilled instructors.
Next, it’s your turn to put on a traditional costume and try it out. You’ll have a good time as the dancers teach you some of the basic steps and explain the history of Rwandan dance.
Other activities you can book for your Aziz life experience include candle making, hive dipping, stay home experience, and different types of craft work. The Aziz life experience is a true insight into Rwanda’s cultural history.