Martyrs of the Thousand Hills: A Tale of Patriotism and Blood
Friday historical tidbits
Christian tradition teaches that Jesus Christ died for our sins; in ancient pre-colonial Rwanda, the practice of martyrdom was the ultimate heroic gesture offered to our beautiful nation. Umutabazi w’Umucengeli (martyr) was a hero who voluntary went to their death with a strong conviction that their sacrifice will protect the country either by defending our borders or expanding them - they embodied Kwimana u Rwanda (refusing to give up Rwanda) spirit!
Ladies and Sons of ladies, welcome to a crash course on the little known but impactful practice of martyrdom - Ubutabazi, when the blood of royalty and nobility was spilled in the name of Rwanda in foreign lands (Ancient Rwanda wasn’t about nepo babies, the more bougie you are, the more you have to do for the country, lol).
Back in the day, Rwandans strongly believed that before any major military expedition, a blood sacrifice was required to ensure success. YEP! Rwandans believed that intentional royal or noble blood spilled in an enemy territory would curse the foreign land, drain their power, resulting in Rwanda’s victory. You may call it superstition or scam 😅 but it was a smart strategy that terrorized the enemy. Ubutabazi was not a random practice, it required long-term preparation, divination, rituals and of course volunteerism from the designated subject (that’s right, some people refused, like the old man, Nkurukumbi, in King Ruganzu’s story). Also, it was not taken lightly, because these men and women left everything behind and fully dedicated their lives to the cause - they’re true patriots who literally died for their country - (getting shivers just writing about this😬).
You may wonder, how was the selection made?
When war was looming, either defensive or expansionist, the oracles were consulted! Was Rwanda gonna make it? Who would be chosen for the ultimate sacrifice? First, once the spirits had predicted victory, military strategies were drawn, field armies were selected (Imitwe y’ingabo, e.g. Inyaruguru, Ingangurarugo, Ibisumizi, Ibidafungura, etc.), and MOST IMPORTANTLY - the selection of the martyr. Depending on the gravity of the war, the blood of the martyr had to be selected from either nobility or royalty (again, Ancient Rwanda wasn’t for nepo babies😂).
Each member of nobility and royalty knew that when our motherland called, it was their duty to answer her call. All men and women grew up knowing that they are candidates for martyrdom and didn’t shy away (well, except for some isolated cases…) from taking on the job‼️ So, the diviners would consult the spirits to figure out which clan was chosen! Once the clan was identified, they selected the house (family), then the narrowed it down to the immediate family, and lastly the individual (mostly men but women were chosen in rare cases). The “lucky” candidate was informed and preparations started from the moment they learned of their fate.
So… why “Noble” blood tho?🙃
The higher your status and lineage in society, the greater your national responsibility - the nobility and the royal family held the ultimate duty to defend the country.
I know that some of us cannot fathom taking such risk but there is a saying in Kinyarwanda (our beautiful and rich mother tongue) that captures the mood of that period, which I think should be our motivation for the present and future: Wima amaraso u Rwanda akanyobwa n’imbwa (literal meaning: you deny Rwanda your blood, and the dogs will lap it on the ground). Currently, Rwanda doesn’t call us for war, but she calls us for duty - to defend her dignity, build her strength through innovation, strategic partnerships and make her a shining beacon for other nations❤️.
Drum roll…Who were these icons?
Note: You will notice that many old martyrs came from the Abatsobe clan, reason being that the clan was given this duty secondary to being senior Abiru (court advisors) for Rwandan Kings.
Rwambali I - from the Abatsobe clan, he became the first historically recorded Umutabazi w’umucengeri (martyr) against Ndorwa Kingdom (modern south Uganda) around the 13th century A.D. during the reign of Nsoro I Muhigi I Samukondo.
King Ruganzu I Bwimba - he was the only king to become a martyr. He gave his life in Gisaka Kingdom (modern Kayonza, Kirehe, Ngoma and Rwamagana districts - Rwanda) along with his sister, Princess Robwa.
Princess Robwa Nyiramateke - along with her brother King Ruganzu I Bwimba, the pregnant Robwa sacrificed her life against Gisaka Kingdom. She was the first woman martyr of Rwanda. She chose death over being the mother of the conqueror of her motherland - BOLD MOVE!
Nkoko (for Kinyarwanda speakers, don’t read it as if it’s a chicken 😂) - the son of King Kigeli I Mukobanya, he voluntarily chose martyrdom during the war against the Nduga Kingdom (modern southern Rwanda). The war of annexation of Nduga was vicious and claimed a lot of martyrs on the Rwandan side.
Gatambira - a prince, son of King Mibambwe I Sekarongoro Mutabazi, he gave his life during the annexation war of the Nduga Kingdom.
Muhira - another prince, the grandson of King Mibambwe I Sekarongoro Mutabazi and nephew of the previous martyr, Gatambira, they both died during the war against the Nduga Kingdom, likely on different warfronts.
Munyanya - this one is an exception! He was a noble from the Nduga Kingdom but switched sides to Rwanda and decided to help Rwanda annex his former home at the expense of his life! Talk about a power move, phew!
Forongo - Another son of King Mibambwe I Sekarongoro Mutabazi (his reign was marked by many wars both offensive and defensive - we’ll get on that soon, hehehe), he was the martyr during the 2nd war against the Bunyoro Kingdom (modern western Uganda). The Bunyoro Kingdom was powerful at the time and sought to conquer neighboring kingdoms including Rwanda. The 1st attack was during the reign of King Kigeli I Mukobanya (the grandfather of Forongo), which was foiled by the Rwandan army.
What’s intriguing is that the father of Forongo, King Mibambwe I Sekarongoro Mutabazi, gained his name Mutabazi (martyr/savior) when he was wounded during the 1st battle against Bunyoro. His bloodshed was considered powerful to have thwarted the attack!! Now, his son, Forongo, followed in his footsteps during the 2nd war against Bunyoro, paying the ultimate sacrifice, his life. Hence, Rwanda defeating them for good‼️ For his martyrdom against Bunyoro, his descendants were named after him - Abeneforongo, and were revered for centuries (to Beneforongo out there, your ancestor had guts, please keep up the good name and legacy).
Binama - hear me out, his story is insane, but it is what it is! Binama was destined to become a martyr before his birth! That’s right, the oracles had predicted his life before he was conceived! His story begins when King Yuhi II Gahima wanted to conquer the Bungwe Kingdom (modern southwest Rwanda). The spirits told him that the royal blood of Bungwe was needed for the conquest. Being a resourceful man😉, he decided to marry a woman from Bungwe called Nyankaka who was the younger sister of the Queen of Bungwe, Benginzage (also known as Nyagakecuru wo mu bisi bya Huye).
After the wedding, the King Yuhi II Gahima sent the young bride back home under the pretext of visiting her older sister, the Queen of Bungwe. However, the girl was on a mission - get herself pregnant by her brother in law, the King of Bungwe👀. The girl accomplished her mission, went back to her husband, King Yuhi II Gahima of Rwanda who became the legal father of the child and named him Binama. Growing up, Binama was well aware of his destiny and waited for 4 reigns to accomplish it under King Mutara I Semugeshi when Bungwe Kingdom was completely vanquished by Rwanda. Binama left a big family with descendants known as Abanama.
Rwambali II - another martyr from the Abatsobe clan, he gave his life for the conquest of the Gisaka Kingdom during the reign of King Mibambwe II Gisanura. It is important to note that though this military conquest started under King Mibambwe II Gisanura, it was accomplished centuries after under King Mutara II Rwogera.
Gihana - son of King Cyilima II Rujugira and military chief of the Abalima military corps, Gihana was designated as the martyr during the war against Burundi Kingdom. As both nations were at par, King Cyilima II Rujugira decided to go big - cue the oracles that chose Gihana to voluntarily spill the blood for this venture. Now, the Burundians had heard of the martyrdom practice and had learned that Gihana was a martyr, they instructed their soldiers to flee at his sight to avoid spilling his blood! As the battle raged on, the Burundian side realized that they losing, thus, they decided to send their own prince - Rurinda, the nephew of their then King Mutaga III Senyamwiza Mutamo, to fight Gihana. Their fight ended with the Burundian prince killing prince Gihana of Rwanda (as destined) followed by the suicide of the former to nullify the sacrifice of Gihana.
Here, things get complicated! Hang on tight for a wild history ride!
Rubona - now that prince Gihana of Rwanda had died a martyr fighting Burundi, a long drought descended upon Burundi, causing a famine and killing livestock. The calamity was attributed to the power of the blood of prince Gihana and Burundi deemed that their own sacrifice, prince Rurinda was powerless compared to Gihana. The Burundian court decided to raise a spiritual cult for Gihana to trick him into thinking he’s Burundian and loosen the chokehold he had them in🙃! They erected a small mausoleum in his name, changed the name of the place it was raised on to the name of his home in Rwanda, Muyange, they created an army unit called Abalima, the unit he commanded, brought a cow herd and named it the same as his herd in Rwanda, Nyamumbe, and last but not least, a woman was brought to safeguard the mausoleum and changed her name to Nyiratunga, the name of Gihana’s beloved wife!!! Coincidentally, rain fell on Burundian soil chasing away the drought!
When Rwandans got wind of the situation, they were fuming! How could Burundi trick the spirit of their avenger?? They consulted the oracles and the Abatsobe clan was designated to deliver a martyr. Military chief Rubona of the Abadahemuka army volunteered for the task. His mission - to guide the spirit of Gihana into continuing wreaking havoc on Burundi. Again, Burundians got wind of his martyrdom and sent a prince, Kivumajoro, son of King Mwambutsa II Nyarushumba and half brother to the then King Ntare III Kivimira. This one had a mission to feign exile to Rwanda, locate the cattle saline wells and drown himself there to cause a plague to Rwandan cows👀, I mean…
Ntabyera I - After learning about the Burundian messiness, Rwanda chose another martyr to counter the Burundian malediction. Ntabyera from the Abatsobe clan was chosen to go drown himself in the same saline wells as the Burundian prince!! Once both dead, the 2 cadavers were taken out and secretly buried in Burundi!!
Yep, the whole war between Rwanda and Burundi is INSANE and there should be at least 5 seasons worth TV show on it, lol!!
Semahungura - a noble who was selected to become a martyr as the augurs had selected him to be the precursor of Rwanda’s annexation of the Bugesera Kingdom during the reign of King Nsoro IV Nyamugeta of Bugesera. The sacrifice of Semahungura allowed Rwanda to expand its territory reaching the lakes Cyohoha and Rweru in the southeast near Burundi border.
Semucumisi - prince Semucumisi was designated martyr during the conquest of the Gisaka Kingdom during the reign of King Mibambwe III Sentabyo of Rwanda. Because, well, every family has that one person🤦🏾♀️… Semucumisi was a replacement of his uncle, prince Kanywabahizi (the son of the great martyr, Gihana, imagine!!) who refused to become a martyr and fled to Gisaka.
Ntabyera II - the last recorded martyr of Rwanda Kingdom! He became a martyr during the reign of King Mutara II Rwogera during the final war of annexation of the Gisaka Kingdom. He was killed by a Gisaka warrior who found the attire of the martyr funny on the battlefield! Well the funny outfit became their demise! Their imprudent gesture lost them their kingdom forever! The war resulted in the military occupation of Gisaka and the kingdom fell definitely under Rwanda’s rule after its emblematic royal drum, Rukurura was found and brought to Rwanda under the reign of King Kigeli IV Rwabugili.
Major General Rwigema Fred and the fallen RPF/RDF soldiers - I took the liberty to add his name on the list along with his fallen bothers and sisters in arms for their ultimate sacrifice: choosing to leave everything behind, they took the first step to liberate our country in 1990. Their bravery wasn’t just patriotic, it was transformational - like a phoenix rising from its ashes, our Rwanda rose from their sacrifice, and we’re here to bear witness.
For Kinyarwanda speakers, I’m dedicating this Butera Knowless song to you - it lyrically says what this long post is trying to convey - Butera Knowless - Uzitabe ❤️
📜 NEXT:
Monday 28/04 - Reign of Cyilima I Rugwe - the child King