Red Rocks, Musanze, Rwanda
July 10, 2024
Started almost twenty years ago in response to tourist interest in local village life, Red Rocks is a place that works with local communities. Students, young and old from the community come to learn to paint.
Local women showcase their arts and crafts and exhibit traditional activities such as making banana beer and bee keeping. There is a long list of activities that can be exhibited, for a fee paid for each. I had chosen drumming and dancing, expecting to see something similar to what I’d seen in Namibia.
The women rotate each day and today it was a group of seven. They drummed and danced, one of them, Marie Louise the most energetic of them all. She simply loves to dance and sing, said Peace, the manager. This wasn’t quite as polished a show as I saw in Namibia but was fun, especially since they encourage participation. I learned how to beat the drums and took a turn or two dancing.
There is a basic restaurant here for local food. And some huts made in the traditional round shape or safari tents for those interested in staying here. But methinks they offer little for the price they charge. This is a venture that was started with good will but somewhere along the way it has become purely commercial. Then again, perhaps that is inevitable.
ITCHY FEET TRAVELS 