Karyenda

Karyenda

The Karyenda is a traditional African drum was the main traditional symbol of Burundi and its "mwami" (kings). It had semidivine status. The "mwami" was said to interpret the messages of the beatings of the Karyenda and interpret them into rules for the kingdom. When Burundi gained independence from Belgium in 1962, the Karyenda was the symbol for the national flag (now replaced once the republic was established). Traditionally the most important folk songs and dances were performed to extol the virtues of the kingship. Since the fall of the monarchy in 1966 (and particularly after a massacre of Hutus in 1972), such cultural expressions have waned. An big festival was the annual sorghum festival ("umuganuro"), which was a huge display of pomp, festivities, and dances for the royal court.The second most important drum was the "rukinzo". It accompanied the "mwami" wherever he went.

As sacred objects, the drums were much more than simple musical instruments. They were used for rituals such as the "umuganuro", or for special circumstances. Major events for the king were announced through the drums, such a royal coronation, funeral, and weddings. The beating of the drums also signalised certain rites, such as when the "mwami" rose in the morning or was going to sleep, or marking a special occasion at the court.

The drums were normally kept in drum sanctuaries. These were a tight network of mythical high places. They were a centre of political and religious power in precolonial Burundi. The sanctuaries were guarded mainly by Hutu families, and they alone, with the king's consent, were allowed to manufacture, play, and keep the drums and bring them to the court for an occasion. They were called "Abatimbo", meaning in "Kirundi" drummers "who hit hard". A sacred drum was enthroned in each sanctuary, guarded by attendants, some "ingendanyi" drums (minor drums), and a set of drums that played for the main drums.

Some of the main sanctuaries for the drums were in:
*Gishora (hill), not far from Gitega
*the Higiro hill, also not far from Gitega
*Magamba hill
*Banga

Drums had various names, such as "dispenser of peace" or "lady of the land".

The Drums, despite all upheavals, have remained instruments that are both revered and still popular. The old families who were wardens for the drums have tried to keep their ancient tradition alive. Some have managed to have an international outreach, such as in the recording by L. Ndoricimpa and C. Guillet, "Les tambours du Burundi" (The drums of Burundi), issued in 1983.

ee also

*Master Drummers of Burundi

External links

* [http://music.africamuseum.be/instruments/english/burundi/burundi.html Music and musical instruments of Burundi]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • List of Burundi-related topics — This is a list of topics related to Burundi. Those interested in the subject can monitor changes to the pages by clicking on Related changes in the sidebar.Burundi* Burundi * Roman Catholicism in BurundiBuildings and structures in BurundiAirports …   Wikipedia

  • Burundi, flag of — ▪ Flag History       red and green national flag with a white saltire (diagonal cross) and a central white disk incorporating three large stars. Its width to length ratio is 3 to 5.       The leading traditional symbol of Burundi was an ancient… …   Universalium

  • Outline of Burundi — The …   Wikipedia

  • Drum — For other uses, see Drum (disambiguation). The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones.[1] Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that …   Wikipedia

  • Liste d'ordres civils et militaires — La liste d ordres civils et militaires récapitule les différents ordres en fonction des pays. Les ordres ci dessous sont classés par pays et par date de fondation. En gras sont indiqués les ordres nationaux les plus importants dans l ordre de… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Burundi — Burundian, adj., n. /boo roon dee/, n. a republic in central Africa, E of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: formerly the S part of the Belgian trust territory of Ruanda Urundi; gained independence on July 1, 1962. 6,052,614; 10,747 sq. mi.… …   Universalium

  • Crown jewels — The Imperial State Crown of the United Kingdom Crown jewels are jewels or artifacts of the reigning royal family of their respective country. They belong to monarchs and are passed to the next sovereign to symbolize the right to rule. They may… …   Wikipedia

  • Gitega — Infobox Settlement official name =Gitega other name = native name = nickname = settlement type = motto = imagesize = 300px image caption = flag size = image seal size = image shield = shield size = image blank emblem = blank emblem type = blank… …   Wikipedia

  • Royal Drummers of Burundi — The Royal Drummers of Burundi is a percussion ensemble from Burundi. Their performances are a part of ceremonies such as births, funerals, and coronations of mwami (Kings). Drums (called karyenda) are sacred in Burundi, and represent the mwami,… …   Wikipedia

  • Burundische Flagge — Flagge Burundis Vexillologisches Symbol: ? …   Deutsch Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”