I hear you talking of genocide and gorillas. But there is more than that to Rwandan history. In telling you of Rwanda, come with me into the 17th century.

To speak of Ruganzu Ndori and his kingdom called Nyiginya. Sharing power with the Queen Mother, alongside the royal drum Karinga. Of his royal herd and a bull called Rusanga. His son Semugeshi and Mpande, their diviner. Of the cult of Kibogo, the celebrated rainmaker. The eternal fire, of legendary King Gihanga. Of the sacred hills, the traditional healers. Hutu woman, Tutsi man and the original ones called BaTwa. The farmer, the herder and the forest dweller. Of sorghum porridge, honey beer and the cooking of banana. Iron goods, ivory and the barkcloth of the weaver.

I heard you talking of ethnic poison and endangered primates. Now you know something else from the Rwandan story. Of Nyiginya and it's first King, the man called Ruganzu Ndori.

© Natty Mark Samuels, 2010.

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