The mythology in Rwanda acknowledges the courage and heroism that had been a paramount character trait among Rwandese mainly in the pre-colonial era. Different kings in their respective reigns have always projected to extend Rwanda to far reaching edges, would it be that sometime borders had to be drawn and put an end to ancestral warfare; some people believe, Rwanda would today be an enormous nation in Africa.
The determination of people towards self sacrifices makes Rwandese an exception type of people in the whole region. Rutayisire Paul, et.al (2010) argues that the king Ruganzu Bwimba and his sister Robwa have shown an outstanding heroic love to Rwanda until they died for it. This is well reflected during the first battle between Rwanda and Gisaka which later was overtaken by Rwandese.
Among other kings who followed the paths of Rugwe and his sister extended the country further; they preserved highly the integrity and identity of Rwanda amid the neighboring countries. Rutayisire continues and argued that it was a respected country amongst others.
Heroism in Rwanda became a way of life to some extent because people were driven by nothing but a conquest spirit to further extend the country, and they were too much exposed to various war and conflicts incidents. Rutayisirte went ahead and singled different kings who expanded widely the country, among them comes Ruganzu Ndoli, being taken as a demigod and an outstanding warrior Rwanda has ever known.
Ndori revived Rwanda, a country which was in the hand of Abanyabungo, and a lot of things were named after him. He blended the new kingdom’s emblem Karinga, after Abashi took over Rwoga the first emblem. Ruganzu fought and defeated Bunyabungo and Bugara communities as a revenge for his country, he got Bunyambiriri, Bwanamukari, and Bugoyi, Byahi, Bwishya and Bufumbira in volcano region.
He also named successors who took over Ruganzu with the same heroic spirit of expanding Rwanda to the far reaching ends, those include, three Kigelis, Nyamuheshera, Ndabarasa and Rwabugiri. All of them were in the category of Abami b’intambara, literally to mean kings of wars who during their reins Rwanda as a country had to focus much more on militarism. Reserve forces were created to normally maintain and safe guard borders of the country and its sovereignty.
The country’s organization was based on different mainstreams where the monarchy was God respect based and patriotic. According to Rutayisire the country was formally structured having the king, the queen’s mother, elders and fighters as the top decision makers. The king was mandated to distribute the power and was the only custodian of the monarchy emblem Karinga. He represented God and was a demigod.
Heroism in Rwanda cannot be narrowed down to reflect the pre-colonial era alone, it was a culture and a legacy from the ancestors that continued to flourish during the colonization and after independence. Two categories of heroes mainly Imanzi and Imena have now been given a memorial day in the whole country. The acknowledgement of seven people to include those in the colonial era, 1994 genocide and liberation war, today are still honored for their heroic performances in preserving, fighting and dying for the country’s well being.
In Imanzi category, we have the late major general Fred Gisa Rwigema, who died in the 1990 liberation war that saved the lives of different Rwandese people. In the same category we also have the common Unknown Soldier who also died during the same war. The Unknown Soldier is a representation of every soldier who died fighting for the country to be liberated from the hands of genocide perpetrators in 1994 genocide.
Under the Imena category we have, the king Mutara Rudahigwa, the son of Yuhi Musinga who died mysteriously after he was taken by Belgian European. He was said to be a strong pacific patriot, who despite his cooperation with the Belgian protectorate, wanted to see his country and people free from the hands of white people.
There is also Michelle Rwagasana who was his close aid and might have died in the same circumstances. Lastly, the country also honors and remembers the three late genocide heroes who died trying to protect others for being killed. Those include Agatha Uwiringiyimana, who was the Prime Minister in 1994, Felcite Niyitegeka a then parish administrator and Nyange students; they all died because of what their ethnic identities and what they believed was moral and genuine for Rwandese citizen.
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