The national harvest day, Umuganura, is a cherished Rwandan cultural festival that holds deep significance as a time for family and friends to come together and celebrate the bountiful harvest.

With roots dating back over a thousand years, this unique tradition allows Rwandans to embrace their cultural values and commemorate the achievements of their agriculture and various economic sectors.

Historically, Umuganura was an event second only to the enthroning of a new king.

As a major event, it was performed by Rwandans at the beginning of every harvest. This is why it is currently celebrated on every first Friday of August each year.

This significant celebration, literally meaning "Thanksgiving Day," honored achievements in terms of harvest both at the kingdom and family levels.

While the exact date of its introduction in Rwanda remains uncertain, research connects it to the introduction of agriculture in the country during the third century. The celebration was institutionalized due to its organized nature, extending from higher authority down to the family level.

At national level, celebration of Umuganura was led by the head of the ‘Abiru’ called “Umutware w’Umuganura,” from the Abatsobe clan.

According to a Rwandan scholar and researcher, Alexis Kagame, apart from the King and the Queen Mother, no one was more powerful than the Umutware w’Umuganura.

The ceremonies were launched nationally by the King, at the cell level by the chief, and in families by the head of the family. Initially, the focus was on staple foods like sorghum and finger millet.

The celebration began at national level in August and concluded the following June, allowing every Rwandan the opportunity to celebrate while sharing with relatives, neighbors, and friends.

However, this tradition was abolished by colonialists in 1925 when the last Umutware w’Umuganura, Gashamuraka Rukangirashyamba, was exiled to Burundi. Six years later, King Yuhi IV Musinga, who had consistently defended Rwandan cultural values and identity against colonial powers and missionaries, was also exiled to Congo.

Today, Umuganura extends its meaning beyond an agro-based harvest to include achievements from other sectors that contribute to national development, such as health, education, ICT, sports, mining, infrastructure, culture, and tourism.

Historically, Umuganura was a unifying factor for all Rwandans through acts of sharing at the family, village, or kingdom level. The rich and poor, and families of varying status, came together to share without exclusion, promoting Rwandan cultural values. This tradition continues to evoke a sense of unity and reconciliation, reinforcing Rwanda's cultural heritage.

The celebration of Umuganura educates the young generation on the importance of safeguarding the past legacy for both educational and entertainment purposes. For Rwandans and friends of Rwanda, the event highlights how Umuganura has always been a significant part of creating unity in diversity.

This festival carries more meaning in today's Rwanda than ever before, as the country marks 30 years of its rebirth since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

It is no longer a merely a moment of merriment; it serves as a reminder of Rwanda’s achievements in agriculture and nutrition over the past decades.

Agriculture plays a key role in Rwanda’s socioeconomic development and resilience, employing approximately 70% of the population and contributing over 31% of Rwanda’s GDP.

For the nation’s youth, women, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the agricultural sector presents a promising avenue for income generation and improved nutrition outcomes.

Amidst the festivities, it is vital to acknowledge the progress made in improving children’s nutritional status since 2000, with declines in stunting, wasting, and underweight cases.

As the nation celebrates Umuganura, today majority of Rwandans, especially parents, understand the importance of diversifying family meals with nutritious foods to adequately nourish their children. Understanding the role of the private sector in contributing to sustainable growth and development is equally essential during this cultural festival.

Rwandans and friends of Rwanda are using Umuganura as a time of introspection and determination to support Rwandan agricultural actors in producing more, earning increased income, and consuming more nutritious food.

The festival offers an opportune moment to align our collective efforts toward a brighter, healthier future for Rwanda, where every citizen enjoys the benefits of improved nutrition and food security.

By embracing the essence of Umuganura, we can collectively foster a thriving agriculture sector that nourishes the nation and nurtures its people towards prosperity.