The school girls who participated in the Gira Ingoma – One Girl per Drum project in Rwanda created and performed poems and songs in which they express their self-confidence and tell the stories of great women (including themselves) to build a new artistic repertoire in which women are present and valued. In their creations, they use attributes and values considered masculine and feminine without distinction, blurring the lines of gender roles and expectations. The poems are inspired of the tradition of ibyivugo (self-praise poems performed by the Intore warriors) and the songs both pay tribute to the legacy of Ingoma Nshya and paint the promise of a proud and bright future for the girls.
Drummings
Poems
“Rusatura Myuma” by Groupe Scolaire Kabuga
(Recited by one girl)
I am Rwema (name – unfearful) of Ndabaga (heroic woman in Rwandan history) from
Storm creator, I am great on the attack, I amaze foreigners,
I am unbeatable, I never lose focus on the battlefield.
I am allergic to laziness never a coward, I am a breaker, I break rebellious hearts
I never get afraid of the past, I am a forefront walker,
I stand the spear protected under a shield and I make a graceful head move.
I am a girl, I jump through the arrows,
I am unique, I compete and win,
On the battle of drums, I will attract all nations,
I will love drumming
Traditional dance be my specialty until I reach my goal.
I show up gracefully when I hear the music of drums, and my audience praises me;
This is a professional dancer, even foreigners leave with the impression that:
Rwanda has a talent.
Groupe Scolaire Musange Poem
I am a creative girl who dared to drum,
I am a genius for a spear and shield and excel when it comes to drums.
I appear in the front combatants and show up with confidence and integrity.
I toughen like a knight, I am feared never to be intimidated by enemies,
On the battlefield, I killed enemies and scatted them,
And everyone looks up to me when I return home with a victory.
Groupe Scolaire Kinteko Poem
I am a drummer for ‘Gira Ingoma” until my older age,
The earth tremble of my footstep,
The world stares at me when I set my spear,
Enemies escape when I cover up with a shield.
I have a drum, I will remain on the throne,
I am a trap of the trap setter,
I attract the attention of everyone,
I am a girl who rose with early risers for the “Gira Ingoma” program,
I never get intimidated on the battlefield, and even in a crowd I never lose my speech
I compete and win
Songs
Chorus of the song “Umurage” by Ingoma Nshya and taught in schools
You can do whatever you want with your life
Continue where I left off
I’ve reached the highest level of power
And I left the drums rumbling again
I’ve removed the chains of taboos
I am taking with me the suffocating darkness
Now, going back is the new taboo
Verses created by girls in schools in response to the chorus
Groupe Scolaire Nyanza
I will fight to live,
I’ll be very creative
I will dare find myself in progress,
I will be an artist
I will be a leader
Girls are the future
Groupe Scolaire Rukira
You did not speak to one with no ears
You spoke to someone who listens
Fans of drums, let’s hug each other
And leave it as a legacy!
You have been a life lesson for me
And drums comfort me
Warrior Dances
Gira Ingoma – One Drum Per Girl
Drumming, dance and creative workshops/festivals, enabling girls to address inequality by exploring their empowerment through non-traditional creative roles.