Cultural Attractions in Rwanda

Cultural Attractions in Rwanda :  Kigali city is the most populous and rapidly developing city in Rwanda that perfectly blends the historical, cultural, and contemporary aspects. Being clean, safe, and friendly, Kigali stands out as an amazing and exciting place to visit. With numerous genocide memorials and museums, markets, and operating theaters as well as several types of bars and nightclubs, Kigali is a city that is built to illustrate Rwanda’s past and welcome the future. Follow us as we take you through some of the features within and around Kigali that give the city the feel it has.

1. A Brief History of Kigali:

 Kigali evolved in the year 1907 as a commercial center by the German colonial masters though it only became the capital city of Rwanda in 1962 when the country gained its independence. It has since developed into an urban center that has a significant mark in Rwanda’s rejuvenation and growth, especially after the genocide in 1994. Nowadays, Kigali can be regarded as a symbol of the state’s growth and development, which can observe Rwanda transforming into a prosperous country.

2. Kigali Genocide Memorial:

 One should pay the courtesy of visiting the Kigali Genocide Memorial to learn more about the history of Rwanda and pay honor to the genocide victims of the year 1994. It is a quite serious and sad place with informative and shocking plaques, posters, photographs, video and audio displays recounting the background to the genocide, the period of genocide, and the current stage in the process of rehabilitation and restoration. Mass graves and peace gardens as a perfect symbol of peacefulness and people’s unification.

3. Exploring Kigali’s Neighborhoods:

 Kigali currently comprises of the following: central business district, gahanga, remera and mumosho, royan, nyarugenge, kanombe and kacyiru. Some notable areas include:

 – Nyarutarama: It is home to many expensive apartments and houses as well as what is reputed to be Kigali’s most prestigious golf course, Nyarutarama.

 – Kimironko: Featuring Kimironko Market to display the power of acquiring traditional African wears and art crafts together with other perishable products, usually in the central part of the market.

 – Kiyovu: Located in the central part of the city, it is lined with stylish outlets comprising of the cafes, restaurants and shops making the place a social zone and perfect place to experience Kigali.

4. Markets and Shopping:

 As much as Kigali has developed, their markets are a colorful extravaganza of the local produce and handcrafted local wear ranging from fruits and vegetables to crafts and outfits. One of the largest and frequented among the markets is certainly Kimironko which is going to sells anything from kebaya Kinyarwanda to sundry items. For the more modern shopping facilities, there are Kigali Heights and Kigali City Tower where various companies from different countries and Rwandan home-based companies retail their products.

5. Art and Culture:

 Kigali has emerged as one of the centers of Rwanda’s vibrant, yet still developing, arts and culture community. Inema Arts Center is a center for Rwandese modern art where artworks and other

creations are exhibited, and occasional courses are done. To learn about Rwandan art the recently opened Rwanda Art Museum which used to be the presidential palace contains exhibitions on traditional and contemporary Rwandan art, and the Ivuka Arts Studio which is a space where several Rwandan artists create their art pieces and visitors can also observe the process.

6. Dining and Nightlife:

 There is a broad choice of restaurants in Kigali ranging from Rwandese, African, and pan-Asian restaurants to European cuisine. Some of the local foods are; brochettes which is a type of barbeque meat especially goat or beef on sticks, ugali which is a type of starchy and thick maize cake and isombe which is a cooked local vegetable made from cassava leaves and served with peanut sauce. Different restaurants that are popular with the locals include Heaven Restaurant which mainly focuses in farm to table and has powers of view and Republik Lounge which offers African dishes and International meals with a vibrant atmosphere.

 In nightlife, Kigali offers anything from fancy rooftop bar to lively nightclubs. The Office Bar and Pili Pili are the two well-known places for cocktails and city views, while Envy and Cocobean are the clubhouses for discotheque with local and international music.

7. Natural Beauty and Outdoor Activities

One can easily appreciate Kigali’s physical features because this city has a hilly terrine that offers many chances to have interesting physical activities. There are hiking facilities that mount Kigali has to offer with breathtaking scenic views of the city and the countryside. The Nyamirambo Women’s Center is a social enterprise that also offers guided walking tours covering aspects of cultural importance and the Nyamirambo area. Also, Nyarutarama Lake which is locally referred to as Lover’s Lake provides an environment for bird watching and picnicking.

8. Sustainable Tourism and Community Initiatives:

 In Kigali there are socially responsible tourism projects and concern for the conservation of natural environment, so Rwanda takes this into account. The Kigali Cultural Village provides tourists with an opportunity to be informed of the traditional Rwandan way of life, and buy works of Rwandan artists dancing. Gahaya Links Cooperative is a women’s group that undertakes the production of quality handicrafts and facilitates the granting of economic opportunities for the female sex while at the same time maintaining the cultural values of the people.

 Conclusion:

 Thanks to its history and culture, as well as its atmosphere of progress, Kigali can be considered an interesting destination for tourists. With moments that will leave you touched by tributes of human emotions put into arts, or exciting Kigali central businesses or markets or simply the thriving art theatre, Kigali will give you a real feel of Rwanda. When you travel through this beautiful city, you are going to discover that Kigali is more than a city though it is also a city to visit and cherish.