The Ibyiwachu Cultural Center
The Ibyiwachu Cultural Center, Commonly referred to as the “Gorilla guardian village”, the The Ibyiwachu Cultural Center is one of the places that shouldn’t be missed while on a visit to the mountain gorilla home, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. This place is a remarkable addition to the country’s tourism menu hence making Rwanda one of the main tourist destinations in Africa.
Ib’yiwachu Cultural Village is located near Parc National des Volcans in Nyabigoma, Kinigi Musanze district, Northern Province. “Ib’yiwachu” is a Kinyarwanda word that means “Treasures of our home and heritage”. At the gorilla guardian’s village meet most men there who poachers were formerly but were later brought together, organized and settled in one place for a common productive goal. They all reformed and participate in and advocate for wildlife conservation through different cultural practices, performances and exhibitions.
This village brings out Rwanda’s culture, customs, history and the African village environment with exhibits of traditional songs and dances, food, dress code, herbs, marriage the set up of the ancient kingdoms.
When you visit the Ib’yiwachu cultural village, you will be warmly welcomed by the amazing performers playing their drums as an aspect of tradition and belief. This is a commitment and demonstration of traditional lifestyles to tourists.
What to expect when you visit the Ib’yiwachu cultural village in Rwanda.
The Ib’yiwachu cultural village is designed to offer many interesting and educative activities that allow relaxation and a feel of local culture. These are some of the activities in which tourists can get ivolved during their visit
Visiting the King’s palace
This is one of the compelling activities to do when you visit the Ib’yiwachu cultural village. The Kings palace is an area that provides a highlight of how the ancient Kings ruled and managed their courts. Ancient kings in Rwanda were feared and given total respect. The kings had supreme powers and would make decisions that had to be implemented without question.
Kingdom activities and ceremonies were performed in the King’s palace under the watch of the king, queens, princesses, princes, clan heads, and reigning visitors.
When you visit this palace, you will have sight of some of the traditional equipment used by the king and his guards like the spears, shields, traditional jewelry, seats and you will get to dress like a king or queen in the traditional attire. The local guide will explain the meaning of each symbol and equipment found in the palace and provide detailed information about the kingdom structure from the king, clan heads and the role of the local community towards the development of the kingdom. The King’s home in Ib’yiwachu is an illustration of the ancient African kingdom.
Watch the traditional Rwandan Dance performed by the Intore Dance Group
Music and dance is a characteristic of African heritage that provides association and identity. Vising Ib’yiwachu cultural center offers on an opportunity to listen to listen to unique cultural music sound played from different traditional instruments including Ingoma, Umuduri, Amakondera, Iningiri, Inanga, and Agakenke, each sound with a unique dancing style.
The Intore Dance troupe presents the warrior dance where men with grass clothing and little bells around their legs with a spear in the right hand and a shield in the left hand, jump high, swing up and down their head dresses whipping in wide arcs, landing on the ground at the same time. the warriors dancers rush forward as if to attack , and then just quickly stop. This dance is commonly known as the “ Dance of Heroes”. This dance is a reminder oof the victory cerebrated by the warriors of any ethnic group as they returned to the king from the battlefield. Men and women dance joyfully attracting you to join them to dance or drum, and you can do so at your wish.
Engaging in Community walks
Taking a community walk is one way of getting closer to community members in their homesteads. This enables you to learn and know more about their cultures, traditions, and their daily style of living. Community walks and visits in the gorilla guardian’s village provide exposure to the unique Rwandan culture and heritage.
In the community, you will sit with the locals in their homes and observe the beautiful structures of grass-thatched huts. Listen to stories from the elders as tell their life and the country’s history. Get a chance to visit the banana plantations and vegetable gardens, prepare traditional dishes, and feast with them.
On a community walk, you can visit a local school, interact with the learners and their teachers, and understand the education system. Your guide will help to interpret your communications to the learners and otherwise.
During the community walk, you may visit local craft shops where they sell woven baskets, mats, clothes, clay products, wood carvings, and many others. You can buy some of their products as souvenirs.
Meet the herbal medicine man (traditional healers)
Traditional healers played and still play an important role in the community. Many people used to seek advice from these people about different health problems. They use plant materials like leaves, stems, roots, fruits branches, shrubs, and other substances to cure illnesses. The healers know how to apply the drugs and have used their knowledge for thousands of generations. At the gorilla guardian village, the herbal medicine man will narrate to you how herbal medicine is mixed to cure and identify which herb is used for a particular disease and how influential herbal medicine has been from colonial to modern times.
Attend the local banana beer brewing process
The joy of taking a locally brewed banana beer is one of the relaxational encounters in the gorilla guardians’ village. Local brews are a unifying symbol always enjoyed on parties and several occasions like new harvests and welcoming newborn babies in the society in the African traditional setting. When you visit Ib’yiwachu cultural village, you will be taken through the procedure of making the local banana brew through fermenting. After the participation at least crown it with a sip of the product.
What you should know before visiting the Ib’yiwachu cultural village
The Ib’yiwachu cultural village is an organized set of rules and behavior that guests must follow while at their premises.
Visitors are not supposed to dispose off litter anywhere. The place should be kept tidy, and dustbins should be put up in specific points to maintain proper sanitation.
Respect for nature is an important factor in this place. Visitors should not destroy any green environmental coverage within the village premises and the surrounding areas.
Follow the norms and traditions of the people you find in the village. Greeting is important for a peaceful interaction and respect for one another and their property.
Visitors are free to ask questions and get guidance from the elders about the place for more clarification, its history, and its contribution to the people in the surroundings and the Rwandan economy.
Ask for permission before taking photos or any video coverage.
Your dress code should be respectful because its a cultural place that doesn’t require body exposure. Though visitors are of different cultures, always respect Rwandan culture while in Ib’yiwachu village.
When you interact with locals, try to be humble and patient as you observe the different demonstrations and performances. If you want to participate in any of their activities, seek permission.
Avoid contradicting the security personnel, be friendly, and calm, and follow the directives given as a briefing on arrival at the premises.
Since 2006 when the gorilla guardian village was started, poaching greatly reduced and many locals have changed their lives by starting up small developmental projects and the young have also learnt the importance of protecting and conserving wildlife which has led to the increased number of visitors to Volcanoes National Park.
