Yesterday, in Nyanza Rwandans and foreigners visited the Inyambo elite cows that are domesticated at the Rukari historical palace where the Rwandan kings lived. The visitors went in Nyanza as Rwanda is cerebrating the Umuganura event( DAY OF PREMISES ) which consists of eating and drinking some of the fresh crops after each annual harvest.
The event took place at the former kingly house of King Mutara Rudahigwa located in Rukari, Nyanza District.
The Inyambo elite cows were selected as beautiful cows domesticated by the King at the court. Their meat and milk were not consumed. The Inyambo cows were educated about daily activities and values. The cows were decorated with jewelries and beautified for different royal events.
Each of these cows was named its particular name to differentiate it from the others. These cows are very protective to their carves against anyone unfamiliar to them or threat.
The Manager of the Rukari National Museum, Medard Bashana told UM– USEKE that the Rukari was and is known as the the the kingly palace that hosted different kings including King Mutara III Rudahigwa and his father King Musinga.
In 2008, the palace has become a museum that hosted the Inyambo elite cows. Since then the place has attracted more cultural tourists.
The statistics show that between 3,000 and 4,000 tourists visit the Inyambo elite cows and its surrounding palace.
All of these visitors have paid 15 million RwF amount in 2008, which amount kept increasing at an extent that in 2010 the amount reached 10 million Rwf.
Umulisa Alphonse who is the CEO of National Museums said that the UMUGANURA event was restored since 2011 so that its cultural component might be revived after the colonialists have abolished the annual event rooted in Rwandan culture..
During the Umuganura, the King himself presented the Inyambo elite cows to the public and provided the milk to the kids who were present at the event.
After this event, the farmers came in and presented the premises of their harvest and everyone was delighted to see the annual agricultural harvest.
UM– USEKE.RW