Burundi

A small Great Lakes nation, Burundi is famed worldwide for its sacred royal drumming tradition.

Music & dance Crafts Language & oral Nature & herbalism Spirituality & rites

Knowledge in this place

Royal drum ritual dance

Royal drum ritual dance

The karyenda drum dance, performed by leaping drummers, is a sacred national emblem.

Spiral basketry

Spiral basketry

Coiled grass baskets with geometric motifs woven by rural women.

Kirundi language

Kirundi language

A Bantu language with proverbs and praise poetry central to social life.

Language & oral

Lake Tanganyika fishing

Lake Tanganyika fishing

Night fishing with lamps and pirogues targets sardine-like ndagala fish.

Nature & herbalism

Agasimbo dance

Agasimbo dance

A graceful women's dance accompanying the drums at communal celebrations.

Spirituality & rites