Itorero Indangamuco from the University of Rwanda–Huye Campus (UR-Huye) emerged as the overall winner in the Southern Province Traditional Dance and Poetry competitions. The troupe claimed first place and received a cash prize of Rwf 1.5 million. Their performance stood out due to strong coordination, clear cultural symbols, and powerful messages that highlighted Rwanda’s history, unity, and shared values.
ALSO READ: Umushyikirano is a Catalyst for National Development_President Kagame
Competition Brings Together Young Cultural Talents
The competition attracted cultural troupes and individual poets from universities and higher learning institutions across the Southern Province. It provided a valuable platform for young people to showcase their talents. At the same time, it encouraged creativity while promoting national identity, discipline, and patriotism among students.
Judging Focused on Quality and Cultural Values
Judges assessed participants using clear criteria. These included cultural authenticity, creativity, stage presence, teamwork, and message clarity. As a result, performances that respected Rwandan traditions while delivering strong and meaningful messages scored highly. This approach helped ensure fairness and promoted high cultural standards.
Strong Competition in Traditional Dance
In the traditional dance category, Itorero Inganji z’Umuco from the Institut Catholique de Kabgayi (ICK) took second place. Their performance impressed the judges with its elegance, rhythm, and accurate representation of Rwandan traditional dance styles. Moreover, the group demonstrated strong teamwork and discipline on stage.
Poetry Performances Highlight Cultural Pride
In the poetry category, Iradukunda Oscar from Itorero Indangamuco (UR-Huye) won first place after delivering a powerful and inspiring poem. His work focused on cultural pride, moral values, and national development, earning him Rwf 1 million. Meanwhile, Uwurukundo Ange from Gitwe University secured second place. Judges praised the performance for creativity, emotional depth, and strong poetic expression.
Preserving Rwanda’s Cultural Heritage
Overall, the competition showed the important role cultural events play in developing young talent. In addition, it strengthened unity among students from different institutions. Most importantly, it contributed to the preservation and promotion of Rwanda’s rich cultural heritage for present and future generations.
