BURUNDI
COUNTRY #26
CHRISTIAN
About Burundi Drummers
Drumming has been an integral part of Burundi’s culture and social identity for a long time. It has been used as a medium to express joy, grief and other emotions, and even to communicate with the gods in spiritual ceremonies. In modern times, drums are used widely by Burundian people in a variety of festivals and celebrations. Drummers in Burundi have developed impressive techniques, often using every part of the body to beat out rhythms with outstanding accuracy. It is believed that drumming was introduced to the region by an ancient master drummer called Klabua who taught his knowledge of rhythm and melody for many generations. Burundian drummers continue to carry on this important cultural tradition while sharing their skills worldwide.
About Burundi
Burundi is a small, landlocked nation in East Africa, surrounded by countries such as Rwanda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It has a rich and ancient history that can be traced back to thousands of years as a Bantu-speaking kingdom. By the 19th century, Burundi had developed separate organized kingdoms led by local chieftains before being colonized by Germany in 1895 and later occupied successively by Belgium and then France until it finally gained independence in 1962. Over the past decades, several civil wars have been fought over ethnic rivalries between Hutus and Tutsis - both sharing language, customs and culture - resulting in extreme levels of violence, instability and economic hardship. Despite these obstacles, Burundi is an incredibly vibrant nation with a diverse population now working together to build a brighter future for themselves.
TRAVELOGUE
Chapter 26: Burundi
Coming Soon…