In November, a group of Burundi Royal Drummers, called Sangwamahoro, visited Nairobi and the Singing Wells team was able to record them. The Group was led by Giscard Ingabire, a drummer and sound engineer. Sangwamahoro, founded in 2005, began as an association aimed at uniting Burundian refugees who had fled the civil wars in Burundi and found shelter in Kenya. Initially focused on providing support to refugees, it later evolved into a cultural club designed to help children born in exile reconnect with their heritage—particularly their language and cultural practices—and to offer a platform for adults to meet, share experiences, and uplift each other.
Today, Sangwamahoro has grown into a vibrant cultural collective, featuring a group of drummers, as well as male and female dancers, who perform at various events, festivals, and concerts across the east African region. The name “Sangwamahoro,” which translates to “May peace be upon you,” serves both as a greeting and a reminder of the possibility of unity, bridging the divides between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnicities. This message of peace and reconciliation remains central to the organization’s mission, fostering solidarity and cultural pride among Burundians, regardless of background.
Referred to as Master Drummers, they perform everywhere, with a style only found in Burundi. Traditinally, these drummers play at royal events, including the coronation of the king (called the ) and funerals and births. They start their performances entering with the drums on their heads.
And with the drums they have dancers and singers…
As we pull together the performances, we’ll provide more background and links to videos, but wanted to get this to you quickly.
