Growing frustration and dissatisfaction: the anger of traditionalists and miryango chiefs at the disrespect of the ancestral spirituality of the Barundi.
Gitega, 06/12/2023 – Strong anger and deep discontent are felt among the traditionalists and leaders of many miryango in Burundi. The reason for this frustration is the lack of respect shown by the President of Burundi towards the ancestral spirituality of the Barundi. The gesture made by the Head of State during his visit to Mugera Parish, considered a strong colonial symbol [1]has deeply hurt many Burundians, challenging the historical consciousness [2] of the Barundi nowadays.
Last Monday, HE Ndayishimiye Evariste (General Major), President of Burundi , visited Mugera Parish, the first cathedral built in the middle of the colonial period, where rehabilitation works, carried out by Burundians, will soon begin. Although it may seem innocuous, this gesture has aroused a feeling of deep hurt among a good number of Barundi, who feel, silently in their hearts, that their ancestors have been despised. Traditionalists and some miryango Chiefs express their anger at this lack of respect for the ancestral spirituality of the Murundi people.
Some question the historical consciousness of many Barundi and stress the importance of respecting ubuntu (the ubungoma) of the Barundi, long before the colonial religions such as Catholicism, Christianity, Islam etc. For them, the current situation is worrying, because they perceive a rise in unease [3] in Burundi, caused by a new colonization in progress perpetrated this time by compatriots carrying these foreign cults.
NOTES:
[1] Vatican – Germany colonial war against iNGoMa Y’uBuRuNDi / BuRuNDi: The battles from 1879 to 1903 – https://burundi-agnews.org/ganwa/vatican-colonial-war-germany-against-ingoma-yuburundi-burundi-les- battles-from-1879-to-1903/
[2] BuRundi – Vatican: Head of State NDayiSHiMiYe received by Pope Francis | | | | https://burundi-agnews.org/diplomatie/burundi-demande-dun-meaculpa-du-vatican-pour-la-colonisation/
[3] Burundi: The President inaugurates the Hotel Matergo built by the Catholic Church / Gitega – | Burundi: National Thanksgiving Prayer dedicated to Imana / Muramvya | https://burundi-agnews.org/genocide/burundi-debut-de-la-priere-nationale-daction-de-grace-dediee-a-imana-muramvya/
DAM, NY, AGNEWS, Thursday, June 15, 2022 | Photo: Ntare Rushatsi House