| | Part I: Period of Silence and Abstinence |
| | When the moon of Gicuraasi has appeared |
| | The drums are no longer presented |
| |
| | During the dark phase |
| | On the fifth day of the waning moon |
| 5 | | The King goes into the house |
| | Seats on the throne |
| | Receives the Hammer and Fire Drill |
| | And the Drum Indamutsa salutes |
| |
| | By then the drums have been readied |
| 10 | | And they beat the Abakaraza rhythm |
| | But not that of the Abatimbo |
| | When the drumming is completed |
| | The king is presented with the drum sticks |
| |
| | Then the principal priest goes out to the courtyard |
| 15 | | And proclaims: "Listen, people! |
| | The drums are tied up |
| | There shall be no more weddings |
| | No more thanksgiving feasts |
| | No more songs of victory |
| 20 | | No more clamours of joy!" |
| |
| | Only Batwa women perform at the Evening Rites |
| | Dancing the iyombe |
| | With the Impara choristers and the Flutes |
| | No more drum sound is heard |
| 25 | | Apart from the Indamutsa |
| |
| | The Evening Rites are first performed in the king's house |
| | Then again at the shrine of Cyirima |
| | In the presence of Karinga |
| |
| | Until the moon of Kamena has appeared. |
| |
| | Part II: The Kamena Ceremonies |
| 30 | | When the priests have sighted the moon |
| | Then the following morning |
| | The drum Ishaako comes to stand |
| | By the gate post |
| | When it is time for the Morning Rites |
| 35 | | The king goes into the house |
| | He receives the Hammer |
| | He receives the Fire Drill |
| | The Indamutsa salutes |
| |
| | Then the king takes the drum Ishaako |
| | Sets it in the outer courtyard |
| 40 | | And taps it twice |
| | Saying: "The day after tomorrow, very early!" |
| |
| | He goes to the shrine of Cyirima |
| | To announce the moon |
| | He goes to all the homes |
| 45 | | Which face the gate |
| | And does the same |
| |
| | The following morning he repeats the same acts |
| | Saying: "Tomorrow, very early!" |
| |
| | By that time All the ritualizes |
| 50 | | Who have expertise in drum playing |
| | Have gathered at court |
| | They time the deepest of the night |
| | At the first awakening |
| | Then the drumming commences |
| 55 | | At the shrine of Cyirima |
| | Playing until morning |
| |
| | In the morning, the priest of Kabagari |
| | Brings the momordica and imirembe plants |
| | And drapes them on the royal drums |
| |
| 60 | | By then, all the priests |
| | Have put on new vestments |
| | The royal drums are carried in their palanquins |
| | And come to give homage to the king |
| | Either at the house of his father or his grandfather |
| 65 | | They are arrayed at the threshold by order of precedence |
| |
| | Then Karinga enters |
| | And the king plays on it the íbihubí rhythm |
| | Four times |
| | The other royal drums also enter |
| 70 | | And the king plays the íbihubí rhythm each |
| | Then they are presented in the usual manner |
| | And return to the threshold |
| |
| | Milk is then brought |
| | In four jars |
| 75 | | Made from umutagoka wood |
| | And four pots of hydromel |
| | All are placed before the drums |
| | The king tastes them |
| | And the priests drink after him |
| 80 | | And take the milk away |
| |
| | Then the Umwaaka recites his Praise Song |
| | When he has completed it |
| | He is rewarded |
| |
| | The drums return into their palanquins |
| 85 | | And go back to the shrine of Cyirima. |
| |
| | Then the king goes into the house |
| | And receives the Hammer and the Fire Drill |
| | The descendant of Cyimanyi |
| | Present the Isubyo |
| 90 | | The king goes into the throne room |
| | And the Indamutsa salutes. |
| |
| | The playing drums play profusely in the public place |
| | Then they are carried in the arms [before the king] |
| | As they play the ibihubi rhythm |
| 95 | | And the king is presented with the drum sticks |
| |
| | The royal bulls are presented |
| | And they go to the shrine of Cyirima |
| |
| | Four herds of cattle |
| | Or six, or eight |
| 100 | | Or any even number |
| | Are presented |
| | Each bull with its ceremonial cows |
| | In either one herd |
| | Or two herds |
| |
| 105 | | The playing drums go to the shrine of Cyirima |
| | A bull from the herd Indwanyi is brought |
| | And sacrificed, and its blood is collected |
| | The day's rites are thus concluded. |
| |
| | The following morning |
| 110 | | The royal drums are stripped and smeared with the blood |
| |
| | The same ceremonies are performed at Gaseke |
| |
| | Part III: The Kamena Festival |
| | Then begin the public celebrations |
| | to do away with Gicuraasi |
| | Tributes of drinks arrive |
| 115 | | And many other items are displayed |
| | For about four days. |
| |
| | Then wedding parties may be held |
| | Epics may be recited and acclamations sounded |
| | And thanksgiving feasts may be organized |
| |
| 120 | | During that time, all Rwandans |
| | Must have drinks at home for the celebrations |
| | And all say, "Come, let us celebrate |
| | Lest Gicuraasi remain in your house!" |
| |
| | Elaborate festivities are organised |
| 125 | | Throughout the kingdom |
Site designed and hosted by:
WebSpinners.com
(info@webspinners.com)