Local authorities were urged to embrace National harvest festival because it aims at promoting unity and hard working.
This was said on 7th August 2015 during National Harvest Day that was held on national level in Akayange village, Ndama cell, Karangazi sector in Nyagatare district.
Talking to this website, Bernard Makuza; President of the senate of Rwanda explained that harvest festival existed in ancient Rwanda, saying it promoted unity among Rwandans.
He added that the festival was banned in 1925 by colonialists with an intention of dividing Rwandans.
During the event, residents showcased agricultural products
In the kingdom era, the main activities for income generation were agriculture and livestock. Now there are more economic activities in different sectors and are all celebrated through Umuganura.
One resident, Kana Claver from Karangazi sector revealed that umuganura promotes unity and it was one way of resolving family issues, adding that people should work hard and fight poverty.
During the event, residents showcased agricultural yields including traditional cows along with cow praises.
Fred Atuhe Sabiti, mayor of Nyagatare district pointed out that the district had famine despite the existence of farms and fields, adding that agriculture improved after residents changed from traditional to modern methods.
In a bid to promote the Rwandan Culture of valuing and celebrating achievements and crop yields from the country’s soil; the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Sports and Culture (MINISPOC), in collaboration with various partners, organised Umuganura celebration, commonly known as the National Harvest Day.
Umuganura is the first-fruit festival and one of Rwanda’s ancient royal rituals. The festival served as a harvest thanksgiving ceremony to thank God, the King or Queen Mother as God’s minister and the ancestors as guardians and protectors. Umuganura is attributed to Gihanga, meaning that it has existed since the country’s early birth, and is among the key rituals in Rwandan culture.
Today, Umuganura has a broader meaning; from being initially about agro-based harvest celebration to including striking achievements from other sectors key to national development. These include: Health, Education, ICT, Sports, Mining, Infrastructure, Culture and Tourism.