Best of Iby’iwacu cultural village-Rwanda cultural Tour 2024
Iby’iwacu cultural village serves as a cultural and traditional museum of Rwanda where lifestyles, traditions and heritage of the country are celebrated offering visitor an immersive experience into the traditions of Rwanda. iby’iwacu, is a local term translated as “Treasures of Our Home”, commonly known as the Gorilla Guardian Village nestled in the Virunga Mountains, regions of Musanze district.
Visitors to the Gorilla Guardian village are welcomed with arms wide open, drums are bit accompanied with vocals just to show them how happy they are to receive them.
At the village, visitors have deep insights into all Rwanda’s ancient history and known cultural traditions. They get to know how life was in the ancient typical Rwanda village, how an African home was set. traditional life style, houses, food, dances, dressing code, songs, poems, and herbs are all displayed.
Tourists can engage in weaving baskets and mats, learn ancient African hunting skills and carpentry offering them a unique experience, a feel of Rwanda’s local culture.
Besides being a tourism destination that is generating revenue to the republic of Rwanda, it also brings together different tribal groups of Rwanda namely the Hutus, Tutsi and the Batwa encouraging them to live together in peace, unity and harmony basing on the common traditions they share.
What to expect at iby’iwacu cultural village
Traditional Performances(music, dance & drama)
Traditional performances inclusive of beating drums and displaying captivating dances is one of the major highlights of any visitor to this village.
The Intore dancers, one of the famous and most preferred traditional dancers at the village, known for their impressive leaps and intricate footwork, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of traditional drums, offer a spectacular display that leaves the audience wishing to have more of their performances.
These performances are not only for entertainment, but also serving as a vibrant expression of Rwandan rich culture and history.
Craftsmanship and Artistry
iby’iwacu cultural village is a hub of Rwanda’s traditional craftsmanship. At the village, you will find artisans demonstrating their skills in pottery, weaving baskets, mats, bracelets,traditional clothes among others while at the same they providing guests a platform to learn and participate in these ancient arts. They always put the beautifully crafted items on market for sale and visitors can buy them in support of their beautiful work done.
Cultural Education and Storytelling
Iby’iwacu Cultural Village emphasizes on education and creating awareness in the upcoming generations and this can best be done through storytelling where Village elders and guides share fascinating tales of Rwandan folklore, history, and daily life, enriching children and visitors’ understanding of the country’s cultural heritage.
These stories are passed down through generations and they offer deep insights into the beliefs, values and traditions that shape Rwandan society.
Engaging with the Local Community
One of the most rewarding aspects of visiting Iby’iwacu is the opportunity to engage directly with the local community. Visitors can take part in traditional cooking classes, learning how to prepare local dishes such as ‘Isombe’ and ‘Ugali.’
Visitors can also visit the local markets, explore different local art shops offering local beautiful paintings, woven baskets and clothes, beautiful water and flower pots, among others.
The village’s interactive nature ensures that visitors leave with a profound appreciation for Rwandan culture and the importance of preserving these traditions for future generations.
Sustainable Tourism and Conservation
Iby’iwacu Cultural Village stands as a model for sustainable tourism. It has provided former poachers with employment opportunities to make their lives better. Iby’iwacu cultural village village has helped to protect the nearby Volcanoes National Park and its endangered mountain gorillas. It supports wildlife conservation through improvement of the livelihoods of local residents, fostering a harmonious relationship between people and nature.
Visiting the King’s Palace:
The king’s palace showcases how the ancient kings ruled, the different roles they played in regards to preserving the traditions, how they managed their courts of law and how they got that respect that they really deserved.
In the ancient days, it was all about the King’s Authority, he was responsible for the final decision concerning any matter in his kingdom.
All the activities and the ceremonies carried out in the kingdom where under the watch of the queen, prince and princesses and clan leaders, all on behalf of the king. The king’s palace in the Gorilla villages gives a clear picture of how an ancient African Kingdom was set.it displays all symbols that were installed in it to represent power.
The displays also include important information about each clan and their different symbols. Visiting the palace while at iby’iwacu cultural village is one of the greatest thing you should do for the best cultural experience of Rwanda.
Meeting traditional healers: in the ancient times; Traditional healers were very important to their communities, people used to consult from them or even got medication when in need. The healers used tree branches, roots, shrubs, seeds and stems to cure known illnesses.
These healers know the efficient way of using herbs to cure various diseases and there symptoms. They have studied and learn the proper application of these herbs and they have passed it on to generations. When you meet them at Gorilla guardian village, they will be pleasured to narrate how they managed surviving especially during the colonial times up to date most.
Best time to visit iby’iwacu cultural village
The dry season ,ranging from June to September and December to February, is generally considered as the best time to explore Iby’iwacu Cultural Village because during this time, the weather is mild with little or no rainfall at all making it easier for an adventurist to travel and explore with out any limitations to his out door adventurous activities which includes visiting the cultural village.
How to get to iby’iwacu cultural village
iby’iwacu cultural village is located just near the entry to the volcanoes national park making it very accessible using different roads from the city.
By Air
The nearest international gateway to Iby’iwacu Cultural Village is Kigali International Airport (KGL). This airport is well-connected to various international destinations.
From Kigali International Airport: Upon arrival, you can hire a private car or take a bus to Musanze (formerly Ruhengeri), the closest town to Iby’iwacu Cultural Village. The journey by road takes approximately 2 to 3 hours.
By Road
Traveling by road is the most common way to reach Iby’iwacu Cultural Village. The roads in Rwanda are generally in good condition, and the scenic drive offers beautiful views of the Rwandan countryside.
From Kigali: You can take a private taxi, rent a car, or use public transport (buses) to reach Musanze. Buses are a cost-effective option and are available from Nyabugogo Bus Station in Kigali. Companies like Volcano Express and Virunga Express offer regular services to Musanze.
From Musanze: Once in Musanze, Iby’iwacu Cultural Village is just a short drive away. Local taxis or motorcycle taxis (motos) can take you directly to the village. It’s advisable to arrange transportation in advance, especially if you’re visiting during the peak tourist season.