Rwandan royal tombs hold fascinating stories of history and tradition yet remain lesser-known treasures. In ancient Rwanda, kings, queens, and queen mothers were laid to rest in designated royal tombs, though some kings were buried elsewhere due to circumstances like dying in battle.
One notable figure is Cyirima II Rujugira, a celebrated warrior king who reigned from 1675 to 1708. Known for his famous saying, “u Rwanda ruratera ntiruterwa” (“No nation invades Rwanda; instead, Rwanda defends itself and attacks nations”), he was buried at Gaseke Hill in Kamonyi District.
Between 1968 and 1973, Belgian archaeologist Francis Van Noten excavated graves of Cyirima II Rujugira, King Kigeri IV Rwabugiri, and Queen Mother Nyirayuhi V Kanjogera. Among these, Cyirima’s burial at Gaseke Hill stood out as the most remarkable.
Oral traditions suggest Cyirima died around 1708, but his smoked corpse was only buried in 1931 or 1932. Archaeological evidence, however, dates his death to around 1635. His body was preserved and honored by a cult at Gaseke Hill, awaiting burial in the royal cemetery of Rutare a rite that was never fulfilled due to unforeseen circumstances. Instead, his remains were secretly buried in Gaseke town center by Yuhi V Musinga.
Cyirima’s compound at Gaseke housed three huts: one for the ritual guard and drums, another for his continuously smoked body and royal drums, and the smallest for common drums. His tomb contained 188 ritual and magical items, including ceramic pots, metal tools, animal bones, shells, wooden artifacts, stone objects, and glass beads.
This rich history underscores the cultural significance of Rwanda’s royal tombs and the traditions surrounding them.
