Gishora Drum Sanctuary

About

A royal field in the north of the city of Gitega is home to the Gishora Drum Sanctuary, an important site on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. It was founded by the King of Burundi in the early 19th century after the victory against the Chief Ntibirangwa rebels. Drums in Burundi were a sign of political power, beaten at royal enthronements, sowing festivals and funerals. The torch has since been passed on by descendents of the ancient lineage of “Abanyigisaka”, ritualists of the royal court. Join the local community and gather around to watch a troupe of 30 drummers dress in traditional gear and combine combat-style dance with specific rhythms. The field itself is a stunning landscape of red dirt and rolling greenery, and you can view two drums kept in the sanctuary that have never been played for sacred reasons.