Third Ingoma Nshya Festival - December 2023 [Gira Ingoma One Drum Per Girl, Rwanda]

The third edition of the Ingoma Nshya Festival took place on 30 December 2023 at the Huye Campus Gymnasium of the University of Rwanda. 250 girls from 9 primary and secondary schools competed by creating three minute shows created by themselves. The competition was won by Groupe Scolaire Kabuga who were awarded a set of twelve drums for their weekly training. The festival allowed the girls to present their work to district officials. Traditionally, drumming was forbidden to women in Rwanda and the Intore dance (the warrior dance) was reserved to men. By learning and performing these art forms, the women of Ingoma Nshya and the girls are redefining the place of women in society and showing that they can do everything. The festival also allowed parents to see their children perform and encouraged intergenerational conversation.