The ''karyenda'' is a traditional African drum. It was the main symbol of

Burundi Burundi (, ), officially the Republic of Burundi ( rn, Repuburika y’Uburundi ; Swahili: ''Jamuhuri ya Burundi''; French: ''République du Burundi'' ), is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley at the junction between the African Gr ...

and its ''

Mwami ''Mwami'' () is an honorific title common in parts of Central and East Africa. The title means ''chief'' or ''tribal chief'' in several Bantu languages. It was historically used by kings in several African nations, and is still used for tradit ...

'' (King) and had semi-divine status. The ''Mwami'' was said to interpret the beatings of the karyenda into rules for the

kingdom Kingdom commonly refers to: * A monarchy ruled by a king or queen * Kingdom (biology), a category in biological taxonomy Kingdom may also refer to: Arts and media Television * ''Kingdom'' (British TV series), a 2007 British television drama s ...

History

When Burundi gained independence from Belgium in 1962, the karyenda was the symbol on the

national flag A national flag is a flag that represents and symbolizes a given nation. It is flown by the government of that nation, but usually can also be flown by its citizens. A national flag is typically designed with specific meanings for its colours a ...

and its coat of arms from 1962 to 1966. It was replaced after the republic was established. Traditionally the most important folk songs and dances were performed to extol the virtues of the kingship. A major festival was the annual '' umuganuro'' ( sorghum festival), which was a huge display of pomp, festivities, and dances for the royal court. Since the fall of the monarchy in 1966, and particularly after a massacre of Hutus in 1972, such cultural expressions have waned. The second most important drum was the '' rukinzo''. It accompanied the ''mwami'' wherever he went. The drums, despite many upheavals, have remained popular and are still revered. The old families who were wardens of the drums have tried to keep the ancient traditions alive. Some have an international outreach, such as the

Royal Drummers of Burundi The Royal Drummers of Burundi, commonly known in recordings as The Drummers of Burundi, is a percussion ensemble originally from Burundi. Their performances are a part of ceremonies such as births, funerals, and coronations of ''mwami'' (Kings). ...

, or L. Ndoricimpa and C. Guillet, who recorded '' Les tambours du Burundi'' (''The Drums of Burundi'') in 1983.

Symbolism

As sacred objects, the drums were much more than simple musical instruments. They were used in rituals, such as the ''umuganuro'', or for special circumstances. Major events for the king, such as royal

coronations A coronation is the act of placement or bestowal of a crown upon a monarch's head. The term also generally refers not only to the physical crowning but to the whole ceremony wherein the act of crowning occurs, along with the presentation of ot ...

funerals A funeral is a ceremony connected with the final disposition of a corpse, such as a burial or cremation, with the attendant observances. Funerary customs comprise the complex of beliefs and practices used by a culture to remember and respect th ...

, and weddings were announced through the drums. The beating of the drums also signalled certain rites, such as when the ''mwami'' rose in the morning or retired in the evening. Drums had various names, such as "dispenser of peace" or "lady of the land". The Royal Order of Karyenda and the Royal Order of Rukinzo were founded by King

Mwambutsa IV of Burundi Mwambutsa IV Bangiricenge (6 May 1912 – 26 March 1977) was the penultimate king of Burundi (or ''mwami'') who ruled between 1915 and 1966. He succeeded to the throne on the death of his father Mutaga IV Mbikije (reigned 1908–15). Born whi ...

on July 1, 1962. The Order of Karyanda was the principal order of the kingdom and was divided into five classes.

Sanctuaries

The drums were normally kept in drum

sanctuaries A sanctuary, in its original meaning, is a sacred place, such as a shrine. By the use of such places as a haven, by extension the term has come to be used for any place of safety. This secondary use can be categorized into human sanctuary, a sa ...

. These were a tight network of high places, as well as centres of political and religious power in pre-colonial Burundi. The sanctuaries were guarded mainly by Hutu families, who were the only ones the king allowed to manufacture, play, and keep the drums or bring them to court for an occasion. They were called '' abatimbo'', which is Rundi for drummers "who hit hard". A sacred drum was enthroned in each sanctuary and guarded by attendants. There were also '' ingendanyi'' (minor drums), and a set of drums that were played with the main drums. Some of the main sanctuaries for the drums were:

Gishora The field of Gishora is located approximately 7 km north of the city of Gitega, in the Gitega Province of Burundi. It houses a royal palace and royal field. Site Description Gishora is on the top of the Gishora Hill in the commune of Gihe ...

Hill, near

Gitega Gitega (), formerly Kitega, is the political capital of Burundi. Located in the centre of the country, in the Burundian central plateau roughly east of Bujumbura (the largest city and former political capital), Gitega (the second largest city) ...

; Higiro Hill, also near Gitega; Magamba Hill; and Banga.

References

External links

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Music and musical instruments of Burundi
Burundian monarchy Burundian music Membranophones Regalia African drums