Ritual dance of the royal drum
Intangible cultural heritage of Burundi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ritual dance of the royal drum is a drumming tradition from Burundi that combines synchronised drumming with dancing and traditional songs.[1][2] In 2014, it was added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. [3]
| Ritual dance of the royal drum | |
|---|---|
Burundian drum crew performing in Kigali, Rwanda | |
| Medium | Drumming, dancing and traditional songs |
| Originating culture | Culture of Burundi |
The dance usually has about a dozen drums, in a semicircle around a central drum. A few of the drummers also dance to the rhythm.[1] In ancient Burundi, drums were sacred objects, reserved only for people performing rituals. The major events of the country were marked by their beating, like coronations and royal funerals.[4]
In 2017, a Presidential decree said that only male performers were to be allowed to play the drums in the future.[5]
Gallery
Drummers around a central drum
Drummers with drums on their head
Gitega drums
Drummers performing in Kampala
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