The Rwandan government announced it is seeking UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition for Imigongo and Umuganura.
This move aims to preserve these ancient traditions, increase global visibility, and diversify Rwanda’s tourism beyond its well-known wildlife offerings. According to New Times, Imigongo is an 18th-century Rwandan art form featuring raised geometric patterns made from cow dung, natural pigments, and clay, while Umuganura is the national harvest festival.
Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy (RCHA) Director General Robert Masozera told Parliament on Monday, March 2, that Imigongo could be recognised this year. He added that the dossier on Umuganura is still being prepared for submission to UNESCO. The UN agency has so far listed one Rwandan intangible heritage item, Intore dance, which was registered in 2024. In 2023, four Rwandan sites, namely Kigali Genocide Memorial, Murambi Genocide Memorial, Nyamata Genocide Memorial, Bisesero Genocide Memorial and Nyungwe National Park, were added to UNESCO World Heritage List.
“When a heritage item is officially recognised, it gains global visibility. It becomes protected even if its origin community faces challenges in preserving it,” Masozera said during a session with the parliamentary Committee on Education, Technology, Culture, Sports and Youth, which focused on the implementation of the national cultural heritage policy. “Take Umuganura, for example. Attempts were made to suppress it during the colonial period. Recognition ensures that, even if locals neglect it, the international community stands for its protection. Recognition also attracts culture-based tourism, as people are drawn to the place of origin,” he added.
Rwanda has identified 536 tangible heritage sites, of which 197 are considered suitable for national recognition. 20 of these sites are already recognised nationally, Masozera said. “Since 2024, in collaboration with the UNESCO National Commission in Rwanda, we have evaluated about 1,000 heritages. From this, we will determine which ones qualify for national recognition,” Masozera said. MP Diogene Bitunguramye cautioned that recognition must be accompanied by genuine conservation, without mixing the heritage with foreign influences.
“Intore has been registered, but performers are increasingly using non-local instruments, such as South African drums. There is a challenge with so-called Gakondo musicians who call their performance ‘traditional’ while using foreign instruments,” he said. Masozera responded, noting that while some evolution and innovations are inevitable to develop certain heritage elements, the core elements must remain intact for the heritage to be considered authentic.
