THE RUBUMBA ENCLOSURE AND ITS SACRED TREES

The road leading to Rubumba takes on the right of the RN 2, 14 km after Muramvya by going to Gitega, just after Gatabo (direction Kiganda). After a few hundred meters, at the intersection with a cross, you must turn right (Kiganda is left). Next, at the next crossing, you still take the right, then the first runway on the left. There are approximately 4 kilometres between the cross and Rubamba.

The Rubamba site, which belongs to a private contractor, Hermenégilde Ndikumasabo (who was President of the Burundi Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the early 2000 s), is of central importance in Burundi's monarchical history. Indeed, it was in the midst of the inauguration of a new king, a sacred tree representing the advent of his power (ikigabiro). Four can be seen here, including that of Mwezi Gisabo planted in 1852, or the one of the last mwami, Ntare, who was inducted in 1966.

In 2000, a royal paddock was reconstituted on site with many objects constituting the traditional equipment of the rugo. The very complete explanations of the guides make visit of the site exciting by imagining the way of life in the royal era. The number indicated is that of Hermenégilde.