In the lush Hills of Rwanda, beyond the hum of modernity and global entertainment, lies a powerful treasure trove of traditional knowledge.
Imikino gakondo—the indigenous games that once defined the rhythm of childhood, the discipline of youth, and the cultural heartbeat of entire communities.
While the digital age continues to captivate the new generation, many Rwandans are revisiting the past, where fun was not downloaded but crafted from sticks, stones, and spirit.
These traditional games, passed down through oral tradition, remain vital tools for cultural transmission, social cohesion, and character formation.
What Is Imikino Gakondo?
Imikino gakondo refers to Rwanda’s traditional games and recreational activities, typically played by children and young adults in rural and urban settings.
These games vary in form—ranging from physical contests to logic-based riddles—but all carry educational, moral, and cultural value.
Some of the well-known imikino gakondo include:
Igisoro – A mathematical and strategic board game played with seeds or stones in hollowed wooden boards, teaching planning and problem-solving.
Icyivugo – A poetic self-praise recitation that nurtures public speaking, confidence, and identity.
Kunyobanwa – A hide-and-seek style game that sharpens agility and observation.
Kwiruka n’amaguru – Foot races that promote endurance and community competition.
Kurwana mu mivugo – Rhyme-based mock battles using metaphors and proverbs, encouraging linguistic skill and respectful debate.
These games were more than mere pastimes; they were cultural classrooms, developing children physically, mentally, and spiritually while bonding them to the moral codes and collective memory of their ancestors.
- The Cultural Role of Imikino Gakondo
In pre-colonial Rwanda, children did not go to formal schools. Instead, learning happened through observation, storytelling, song, and games.
Elders and older siblings played a central role in teaching through play.
For instance, igisoro sharpened counting and calculation skills, preparing young boys for leadership, cattle management, and battle strategy.
Games like kunyobanwa were crucial in fostering teamwork, alertness, and resilience.
Girls participated in games such as gusimbuka umugozi (skipping rope) and kuririmba mu matsiko (group singing games), which reinforced themes of cooperation, rhythm, and traditional gender roles in a fun and empowering manner.
- Disappearing Traditions in the Face of Globalization
Today, mobile phones, television, and video games have replaced many traditional games. While access to technology is important, the risk is the erosion of cultural identity among Rwanda’s youth.
Many urban children grow up never having played igisoro or learned a single traditional rhyme. As elders pass on, so do the memories of these priceless games.
“Children today know more about international cartoon characters than they do about imikino gakondo,” says Mama Jeannette, a 67-year-old cultural guardian from Huye District. “We are losing our cultural mirrors.”
- Reviving Imikino Gakondo Through Education and Festivals
The Rwandan government and several cultural organizations are now stepping up to revive and preserve these heritage games.
The Rwanda Academy of Language and Culture (RALC) has included imikino gakondo in school extracurricular activities.
Annual cultural festivals like Urumuri Festival and Ishuri ry’umuco are showcasing traditional games to both locals and tourists.
Non-governmental initiatives like Gira Umuco Foundation and school clubs have also launched programs where children learn, document, and perform traditional games in public events.
“In every round of igisoro, in every chant of icyivugo, we’re not just playing—we’re preserving who we are,” explains Aimable Gakwandi, a cultural educator in Kigali. “Our games are our history in motion.”
- A Call to Action
Rwandans in the diaspora and at home are encouraged to integrate imikino gakondo into community events, church gatherings, and youth workshops.
Schools should formalize traditional games into sports and culture curricula. Parents and grandparents are urged to actively pass on the stories and skills involved in each game.
Reviving imikino gakondo is not about romanticizing the past—it’s about reconnecting to an identity that once thrived through oral wisdom and participatory learning.
As Dr. Ras Banamungu puts it:“In every beat of a drum, in every joyful chase around the banana grove, lies a bridge to our roots. Let us cross it, proudly and together.”
- Did You Know?
The game Igisoro is played across East Africa and known as Bao in Swahili-speaking countries.
Some traditional Rwandan games contain hidden spiritual meanings and were used to train future warriors and wise leaders.
In some rural areas, imikino gakondo is still used in conflict resolution and healing circles.
- For Community Use
To include imikino gakondo in your school, community group, or event, visit www.rwandaculture.rw or reach out to cultural institutions in your area.
Let’s keep Rwanda’s games alive—for today, and tomorrow.