{{Author of the Photos: RDB}}
Category: Tourism
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Feeling The Impact Of Museums In Schools
Another day! Another milestone! Setting new bench marks in cultural heritage promotion in schools kept ringing into my ears as the outreach team set off to Karongi district, western province. Schools visited included; College St. Mary, IPRC western, and Ecole secondaire Bwishura.
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Over the last few years, many schools have eliminated or cut back on museum trips partly because of tight budgets that make it hard to pay for a bus and admission fees and partly because of the growing emphasis on “seat time” to cover all the materials on state tests. However, new museology emerged: a practical theory in museums linked to community archeology that intended to move away seeing a museum as a building to something built for and pro-people.At present, the age of silent museum is gone and the focus by going an extra mile to cover a wider public arena. To make up for this decline in school visits, Rwanda museums are taking their lessons to classrooms through “Museums in schools” to fully engage with students. This re-thinking of museum study has integrated students and local communities to become more curious in picking interest and desire to visit or be visited by museums.
Education being a basic necessity for development, if devoid of people’s culture, there would be less or no progress at all in that given society. It would simply be more or less empty and incomplete. What is more detrimental is having no idea of one’s own identity and heritage. But knowing who you are and where you come from is very critical and an important element to our young generations. It always indicates a future. Then, why take risks now. The educational processes in museums today enriches and exposes children to see, touch, and feel culture and history in a positive trend. Rwanda Museum’s outreach programs are designed to promote high early learning cultural impact and experiences for children to fully understand and appreciate the history, culture and take pride in the achievements of their colorful distant past.
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Seven lions arrive in Rwanda Today
Seven Lions will return to Rwanda for the first time in more than two decades, wildlife officials have said, after the endangered animal was wiped out following the the 1994 genocide Against Tutsi.
Seven lions — two males and five females — are being transported from South Africa and will arrive by air in Rwanda on Monday after a 36 hour journey, where they will be taken and released after at least two weeks quarantine into the eastern Akagera National Park.
Park officials in Akagera, a 112,000 hectare (27,6800 acre) park bordering Tanzania, said the reintroduction was “a ground-breaking conservation effort for both the park and the country of Rwanda.”
Lions are coming from parks in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province, from “relatively small, confined reserves where it is necessary to occasionally remove surplus lions,” a statement from Akagera added.
The seven were chosen “based on future reproductive potential and their ability to contribute to social cohesion”, with animals including a mix of ages and genetic makeup.
– ‘Conservation milestone’ –
The lion remains listed as vulnerable at a global level, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature said Thursday in an update to its “Red List” of threatened species.
Rapid decline has been recorded in eastern Africa, which historically has been a stronghold for lions, IUCN said, warning that trade in bones and other body parts for traditional medicine in Africa and in Asia was a new and emerging threat to the species.
The western African lion subpopulation is listed as “critically endangered” due to over-hunting and dwindling prey.
“The return of lions to Akagera is a conservation milestone for the park and the country,” said Peter Fearnhead, head of African Parks, which helps run Akagera.
The park is fenced, but the cats will be equipped with “satellite collars” to reduce the risk of them entering inhabited areas.
“The collars have a two-year life, by which time the park team will have evaluated the pride dynamics and only the dominant individuals in each pride will be re-collared,” the park added.
Akagera offers plenty of food for the top predator, and is home to multiple antelope species, buffaloes, giraffes and zebras, as well as leopards and elephants.
Some two hours by vehicle from the capital Kigali, it is an important tourist destination, with some 28,000 visitors in 2014.
{{ AFP}}
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Our Heritage: Proof Of Our Past
{During my reading adventure, I came across a very important topic in public archaeology entitled, “why the past”. Research in this particular area; indicate that, the importance of memory is, and has always been taken for granted, and yet, it is an emotional expression that binds us together and keep history in motion. Collective memories globally shape the reality that enables people to imagine the world in which they live in. And Museums, for this case, are among many places where one kind of represented memory is generated through fascinating collections of our past. It is, therefore, natural and proper thing for each one of us to take pride in knowing our history, its absolute meaning and stories, possessed as heritage or identity. Museum education has become more interesting in enriching and improving on the Materials and information that can, if utilized well, communicates shared memory and identity. }
Throughout recorded history, cultural and natural heritages have suffered damage and destruction due to natural disasters like floods, storm, fire and earthquakes or to human induced threats like in times of conflict, wars and riots, building works and sometimes willful damage or neglect. However, even though, in our minds, this destruction has existed throughout human history, now, it indicates a shift in the relationship between societies and the testimonies of their cultures and heritages.
Managing such in the post–conflict society like Rwanda is a difficult task that affects not only personal but also national identity and yet history is the only means that makes sense of our past in the present with that kind of emotional expression that should bind us together and be linked to a place. Heritage management has become vitally relevant for us to live now as we come closer and interact freely with the past. The use of living heritage as an element that triggers heritage consciousness has proved worthwhile in the post-conflict situations where it has really played a unifying role between communities.
Rwanda’s historic buildings and heritage sites represent not only a store of knowledge about our human past but also scores as a major asset for conservation and understanding of nature and education of the same in Rwanda is a timely venture.
There was a time when heritage education was understood as simply guiding visitors through museum exhibitions but over the last few years, the field has evolved and grown in importance. Thanks to a number of initiatives by Rwanda museums.
Despite the risks that haunt our cultural and natural heritage sites across the country, the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda (INMR) nevertheless has made tremendous efforts to provide preservation and education through exhibitions and outreach programs. These communicate and contribute to knowledge that holds humanities deepest values, attitudes and actions towards cultural and natural heritage sustainability.
With well-established museums, INMR alongside other pertinent institutions have taken the necessary measures in restoring a number of historical sites that would eventually make history live to the public by engaging them in the discovery of historical, cultural, and social experiences of the past. Heritage objects are contemplated by those who share the values which are enshrined with them. The goal is to create an illustrated narrative that will convey our past and mirror events of Rwandan society. We have equaled power and responsibility to model and teach our young generations to shape the future.
These unique resources are used and handled with care to become more responsive to dynamics of modern and urban change by retaining their relevance to become positive partners in the development of our societies
I must categorically state that, the best way to preserve our heritage is through continued creativity that draws inspiration from traditions as well as modernity. We need to create awareness of profound cultural and natural heritage that lead to a reconstructed history, creativity and identity. It is through heritage preservation and management that we can only be assured of permanent creativity.
Awareness without action changes nothing. Stand out to be counted as you walk along the path of history. Our heritage must be seen in a holistic perspective that includes multicultural aspects, old and new history, tangible as well as intangible legacies of the past.
Throughout the state, greater efforts are needed to acquire and interpret significant cultural resources, if Rwanda is to safeguard its cultural heritage that presents a truer picture of itself. We must work together to acquire, protect and interpret many more of our prehistoric, ethnographic, and post-historic places. The cultural memory recollection is core to this noble cause. These efforts are critical in preserving significant remnants of Rwanda’s past.
{{David Nkusi
Cultural Heritage Analyst/Philosophical studies expert
Email: nkusidavid@rocketmail.com
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Seven Lions arrive as Rwanda prepares to name 24 Baby Gorillas in September
{By end of June Rwanda is expected to receive seven lions from South Africa to re-introduce the species into Akagera National Park.}
The return of lions to Akagera is a conservation milestone for the park and the country and it is an opportunity for Rwanda to increase its competitiveness as a tourism destination and portray to the world our commitment to conservation.
IGIHE has learnt that on 30th June, RDB in collaboration with the African Parks will translocate 7 (seven) lions from South Africa.
Meanwhile apart from lions, the CEO of Rwanda Development Board (RDB) also told government’ ministers that during the 11th Kwita Izina ceremony scheduled on 5th September 2015, 24 baby gorillas born after last year’s ceremony will be named.
The event is expected to bring together 400 international guests from various countries.
The ceremony will also be a climax of week-long celebrations under the theme: “Conserving now and for the future”.
It will also be an opportunity for Rwanda to showcase various activities such as: a conversation on conservation, familiarization trip, Igitaramo, Kwita izina awards and business exhibitions.
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EADV Ltd ready to assist tourists throughout this summer period
{The East African Drivers -Vehicles Ltd (EADV Ltd), a Tour company that operates in Rwanda, has announced its readiness during this summer period to facilitate tourists who want travel and touring services as a part of their move to learn more about Rwanda and its Tourism sites as well as enjoying its thousand hills.}
The Chief of the East African Drivers -Vehicles Ltd, Wibabara Jean Claude has told this website that the coming period is a tourism high season where tourists become very numerous in comparison with other periods.
He said that EADV is ready to hire out travel vehicles as well as to provide guiding services including taking tourists to different tourism and leisure spots across the East African region.
Wibabara added that”the company has experience in travel services including hiring cars of all types depending on the wish of client.
All our services are at affordable prices” He said.“Other services include providing cars for self driving or in the case you want a driver we provide him.”
He encouraged Rwandans to develop the culture of visiting different beauty spots adding that tourism and leisure are not meant for foreigners but all people in general.
EADV informs Private sector Institutions, Government and NGOs that it has good travel and transport services at reasonable prices.
EADV also provides Public and private transport as well as hiring cars.
The company is located in Kigali City near the Former ETO Muhima place in a building that locates near Audiotex
{{For more information}}: Call: 0788355551/0788811103/0788312970 or send e-mail to: info@eastafricandv.com or log on to www.eastafricandv.com
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Rwanda’s Gorilla Naming Ceremony to generate $14m
{Rwanda is targeting to fetch at least $14million from the annual gorilla naming ceremony branded as Kwita Izina promotional week.}
Kwita Izina activities are scheduled to start on August 28 until September 5. Rwanda wants to popularize the event in low tourism season. Originally, the ceremony was held in June when the region experiences a high tourism season.
“The choice of new date was strategic in balancing seasonal incomes,” says Ambassador Yamini Karitanyi head of Tourism department at Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
According to RDB, Twenty four baby gorillas will be named, an increase compared to 17 and 18 baby gorillas for 2013 and 2014, thanks to the crucial conservation efforts.
Dennis Karera, the chairman of Hotels’ association in Rwanda, also chairman of East African business council said; “We are marketing the event regionally and internationally. Our hotels will be full to capacity that very week.”
Kwita Izina attracts global tour operators, international media, conservationists and other global figures from various fields of work.
According to RDB the average expenditure of a tourist in Rwanda is US$300 per day for hotel accommodation, food, hangout and transport. Other expenses not linked to the hotel are not included in this amount.
Rwanda would earn $ 2.1 million per night if all the rooms are occupied.
Karera also said that with 7000 hotel rooms’ capacity, Rwanda is ready to give the best accommodation ever.
Gorillas earned the country over $ 15 million last year, out of $ 303 million contributed by the whole tourism sector. The target is to increase sector contribution to $ 800 in by 2017.
Kwita Izina and preparatory events are set to reap money straight away and to market the country for future business.
During this period August 28-29th, Rwanda is scheduled to showcase Inka z’u Rwanda the traditional long horned cattle in Eastern province.
“My clients like their elegance and their beautiful horns which they compare to the elephant’s ivory,” said John Kayihura, a Rwandan tourism consultant.
Other activities will include a conservation forum, a photo and business exhibition, a familiarization trip among others.
Source: Sights Of Rwanda
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How Musanze Caves benefited nearby community
{Residents of Kinigi Sector in Musanze District say they have enormously benefited from the existing Musanze caves which attract international tourists who visit the area and buy artistic products made in nearby communities. }
In 2014, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) launched the Musanze Caves as another product for tourism activities.
At the time the Head of Tourism and Conservation at RDB noted also that the local community will benefit from this new product as business will flourish at the caves surrounding.
The Musanze caves are the newest Rwanda touristic product. Moreover, there are still plenty of adventure to be experienced in the area including the Buhanga Eco-park known for coronation of Rwandan former kings, the panoramic view of the twin lakes namely Burera and Ruhondo, Karisimbi Volcano climbing, Bisoke Volcano climbing, trek to Dian Fossey grave, golden monkeys trekking and the famous mountain gorillas trekking.
Since the launch of Musanze caves, local communities have benefited from them through employment, electricity grid but also got market for artistic products that tourists buy in abundance because of their link to the Rwandan culture.
Munyampirwa Emmanuel, 24, said that, apart from the general interests from these tourist caves, he got a permanent job that gives him Rwf 30 000 adding that his life has changed dramatically, thanks to RDB that inaugurated these tourist sites near their community.
The caves were there since the ancient time but the Tourism department has modernized them and changed into tourism destination.
They are located in Northern Province of Rwanda.
Most of visitors to these caves come from U.S. UK, Australia as well as Rwandans.
The Musanze caves originated from volcanic activities where different lava flow layers dating from 65million years ago have created the Albertine Rift Valley. The Caves are two kilometers long underneath.
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Rwanda taps into Chinese tourism market at the Guilin Tourism Expo
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Guilin, China: 30th May, 2015: Rwanda is participating at the China Guilin International Tourism Expo in China from May 29th -31st, 2015, which is taking place at the Guilin International Conference and Exhibition Center in Guangxi, China.}“The China Guilin International Tourism Expo is one of the leading tourism exhibitions that caters for both business and travel sectors. It is therefore a good platform for Rwanda to expand its partnerships and business relationships especially in the tourism industry. Rwanda has all it takes to be a premier destination for Chinese tourists,” said the Ambassador of Rwanda to China Charles Kayonga.
The expo brings together the Chinese tour and travel industry and the Association of South Asian Nations, which has a combined population of almost two billion people, with international buyers and exhibitors. This makes it a strategic platform for leading industry players to tap into the enormous and still growing Chinese and Asian tourism markets.
“With easy access to Rwanda, a destination that offers varied and exciting experiences for travelers and with continuous awareness through roadshows and fairs such as this, we expect to see an increase in the number of leisure and business tourists from China,” Ambassador Kayonga added.
In order to give the visitors at the stand a taste of the Rwanda experience, traditional and cultural dances are being performed and traditional instruments such as the famous inanga (violin) are being used to create music. In addition, there are Business to Business and networking sessions among industry players to exchange information on the various attractions and what it takes for Chinese tour companies to market the Rwanda destination.
Zhang Chao from Hunan Everbright International Travel Service Co. Ltd, one of the outbound companies in China, said that; “Increasingly, our customers are asking about new experiences, Rwanda would be a potential market to look at considering what I have seen and heard here at the expo.”
The China Guilin International Tourism Expo is organized by The People’s Government of Guilin, the Guangxi International Expositions Bureau, China Guangxi Tourism Administration in partnership with The Guilin Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Guilin Municipal Tourism Bureau, and Conference and Exhibition Management Services (CEMS).
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Local visitors to Rwanda tourism attractions increased by 10% in 2014
{Rwanda Development Board (RDB) which has a mandate of tracking the development of the country has recorded an impressive increase of local tourists as this years, the institution focuses on spurring more visitation in parks and other attraction.}
This institution announces that the number of local and international visitors in whole has reached 67 696 while the number of local visitors was increased by 10% from 16,646 in 2013 to 18,223 in 2014 and domestic visitation in parks generated almost 400,000 USD.
RDB officials attribute the increase to the continued partnership of both public and private institutions in marketing of Rwandan tourism as well as the effort of EAC partner states in promotion of regional tourism. The other reason behind the increase of visitors is among others associated to the decrease of visiting costs.
Country leaders in charge of tourism development and promotion are encouraging more Rwandans to be the first enjoying their country natural beauty rather than getting Rwandan beauty praises from foreign visitors.
Rwanda National Parks (Akagera in East, Volcanoes North and Nyungwe in South West) recorded 67,696 activities sold in 2014. Compared to 61,792 activities sold in 2013 at the same period, it corresponds to 10% increase. Volcanoes National Park, the home of Gorilla increased by 11% while Akagera increased by 4% in 2014.
Revenues generated by the National park increased by 19% from 14.1 Million USD generated in 2013 to 16.8 Million USD in 2014. Volcanoes National Park accounts 93% of all revenues generated by the parks.
Nyungwe National Park, the only home of the canopy walkway in East Africa, topped other parks in the sale of many activities by increasing them to 30% after two consecutive years of decrease and its revenues increased by 37% while Akagera revenues was increased by 12%.
Among activities that Nyungwe National Park sells to its visitors there is the fortune of numerous biodiversities including Chimpanzees, different flours and vegetation species, variety of bird species, the canopy walkway and the Kamiranzovu water fall inside the Nyungwe forest.
The Volcanoes National Park sells Gorilla and volcanoes’ climbing while Akagera Park sells variety of savanna animals and bird species as well.