Copyright mwnation
You have probably watched or heard about Amahoro Drummers, a cultural firebrand which has left an indelible mark on cultural platforms such as Tumaini Festival and Lake of Stars and continues to make amazing exploits with their unique and energetic performing arts. This year, the drummers took Lake of Stars by storm at Fish Eagle Lodge in Nkhotakota before proceeding to Urban Music People (UMP) International Festival at Cape Maclear in Mangochi. And their next stop is Tumaini Festival at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa from October 30 to November 1. In an interview on Saturday, Amahoro Drummers coordinator Simon Nzigamasabo, also known as Rukwavu, did not hide his excitement. He said: “Today, Amahoro Drummers is proud to take the stage at the UMP Festival in Cape Maclear, joining a powerful line-up of local and international artists from Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zambia and beyond. “After a thrilling performance at the Lake of Stars Festival, we are honoured once again to represent refugee talent and the Burundian Royal Drum tradition, sharing the spirit of unity, peace and African pride through culture and rhythm. And our next destination is Tumaini Festival at Dzaleka Refugee Camp where we will join a celebration of hope, resilience and cultural exchange.” He said Amahoro Drummers remained committed to using the power of traditional music to connect nations, inspire young people and remind the world that refugees are not a burden, but a source of creativity and strength. Founded in 2006 by a group of young Burundian refugees at Luwani Refugee Camp in Neno District, Amahoro Drummers have become a force of reckon to preserving and promoting cultural identity through traditional drumming and dance. “We began as a small cultural initiative in a refugee camp, but today we are thrilled that we have grown into a respected performing group that represents peace, unity and resilience across Malawi and beyond,” said Rukwavu. Amahoro is a Kirundi, the national language of Burundi, word which means peace. Rukwavu said they adopted it as their brand because their mission reflects peace in Malawi. “Through drumming, we promote peace, reconciliation, and cultural understanding—values that are deeply needed in today’s world. “When we started in 2006, we were inspired by the traditional Burundian royal drumming culture, a practice that has for centuries served as a symbol of unity, power, and national identity in Burundi,” he said. Rukwavu said their goal is to keep their heritage alive despite living in exile. “We want to remind our youth that even far from home, we can still celebrate who we are through culture, rhythm, and discipline,” he said. UMP Festival founder Ken Limamwe, who is also the manager of Chitoliro Productions, described Amahoro Drummers as one of the country’s groupings unifying arts and culture. “UMP Festival was excited to host Amahoro Drummers whose performing arts speak a universal language of peace, strength and joy. At the heart of UMP Festival is a celebration of Africa’s unique arts and culture such as Amahoro Drummers,” he said. Limamwe said one unique element about Amahoro Drummers is that each rhythm tells an amazing story of Burundi their lovely heritage and their quest for unity. Rukwavu corroborated the perspective: “When we perform, the rhythm connects us with our ancestors, and at the same time, it sends a message to the world that peace is possible through culture and unity.” He said another unique feature of Amahoro Drummers is that 99 percent of the members were born in exile, yet they carry forward one of Africa’s most powerful and sacred traditions: the Burundian royal drum, which is recognised by Unesco as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. He said: “We believe our drums are more than instruments—they are a living heritage and a message of hope.”
