Kajuga Augustin & Nkurikiyimana Ignace

Augustine, born in 1939, has much to tell Ignace about Rwanda before colonialism: the history of kings and how power transferred from one to another, how young people were treated differently by their mothers versus their fathers, and how they were joined in marriage. He recounts how some of the practices are thankfully outdated, like drowning unmarried, pregnant women, and how some of the practices celebrate values that are still positive like respect, and cooperation. Ignace is impressed, and understands that an important cultural legacy, and the cloak of leadership is now his to wear, and pass onto his own, future children.

“I will endeavor to tell my children about the past of my life, I mean my personal life history or my family stories; I will do this in order to help them not face the problems that are similar to the problems I faced. I will be telling them the line they should follow in order to have a happy life. I will tell them about people who were heroes and people who were dishonest. I will be showing them that the future is gradually becoming opposed to the past." Nkuqikiyimana Ignace