The Village that learned to Sing again
On a sunny Wednesday afternoon, I drove with a music producer to Nkunamo Village with the purpose of recording an incredible traditional troupe of dancers and singers known as ‘Inyamamare’.
As we drew closer, high up the mountain, the sound of drums and beautiful melodies invited us in. Looking at their faces, they carried bright smiles, eagerness, and excitement to finally share their joy with the world.
This troupe, known as ‘Inyamamare’ meaning “the famous ones” is a traditional music and dance group from Nkunamo Village. They are indeed known for their songs of joy and community morale, performing at various community events. They are a group of 44 members;15 men and 29 women. Beyond their gift of singing and dancing, they also write their own songs. So far, they have written and recorded three songs that speak about World Vision Rwanda’s impact on their lives and their community in Nkunamo Village.
Nkunamo Village is located in Gisagara District in Southern Rwanda.
Just a few years ago, the songs in Nkunamo were quieter. Families struggled to find clean water. Children faced malnutrition. Many households lived day to day, uncertain of how to change their future. Hope was fading.
“Leading people in this situation was very hard. There was no joy and no hope for life,” said Felix, the Village leader of Nkunamo Village.
Through World Vision’s livelihoods work, families began to see possibilities where they once saw limitations. They learnt how to save, invest, build businesses, and believe in their own potential. Over 180 households received startup capital of 90,000 Rwandan Francs, and capacity building through World Vision’s Biblical Empowered Worldview and Ultra-Poor Graduation models, focusing on mindset transformation as well as practical business and entrepreneurship skills.
Felix shared, “These trainings were eye-opening and transformational, helping people to seize opportunities around them, to join savings groups, and to start something where they are, with what they have.”
Today, every household is engaged in income-generating activities; mainly farming, livestock, and retail businesses. This has led to a significant improvement in the quality of life for children and their families in the village.
In addition, World Vision Rwanda provided access to clean water, built a drying shade for crops, and supported the establishment of an Early Childhood Development Center for young children.
As a result of this holistic transformation, Nkunamo Village has been recognized by the government as the best among 524 villages in Gisagara District. The village has received multiple awards, including; for achieving 100% timely payment of health insurance (five consecutive years), for fighting against malnutrition (three consecutive years), and for ensuring that every family owns a cow (four consecutive years).
Reflecting on this journey, Felix, who has led the village before, during, and after the transformation, said, “This community came from darkness to light and is now a shining light to others. Words cannot express our joy well; we put it into songs.”
Inyamamare expressed this journey through three songs: Kira Wigire (Prosper and Be Self-Reliant), Kebuka Urore (Turn Around and See), and Twese Turashima (We Are All Grateful). In one of their songs, they express: “Our community is guided by a positive vision,” voicing their shared commitment to development and a better future together.
Today, the people of Nkunamo no longer sing about survival. They sing about dignity, resilience, and a future they are building together. As their voices rise across the hills, the words of the Bible in Psalm 126 feel alive: “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy…”
After participating in Empowered World View trainings, they began to recognize the value of their singing talent and approached it more professionally. As a result, they now generate income from their performances and are regularly invited to sing at village events, district functions, and beyond.
Their songs about World Vision are rooted in their gratitude for the transformation they have experienced at individual, household, and community levels. Beyond these, they also compose and perform songs on a variety of themes, including weddings and other life events, reflecting both their creativity and growing role as professional performers.
Their story is not only told in words, but it lives in their songs. Listen to Inyamamare’s music below:
By Mary Umutoni, Donor Liaison Specialist