Feature: Celebrating New Year in Rwanda

It is normally a characteristic mood of enthusiasm as Rwandans welcome New Year.

Shopping trips are order of the day. Then roars of excitement and singing fill the air with the fading seconds during the final countdown to midnight.

Majority of Rwandans usher in the New Year with night prayers countrywide, while fun-lovers go somewhere to be entertained.

As glasses clink to fun toasts, normally the centre of attraction is expected to be at mega shows in the city.

This is where popular local artistes are expected to be part of the big show.

Night prayers at various churches are a common feature with Christians filling churches to capacity around the country to welcome the New Year.

Rwandans say despite the past history of the genocide, the country has achieved a lot more over the years.

"We might have gone through several challenges as a country, but we need to have hope as we prepare for the future," said Claudine Mukantirenganya.

Compared to Christmas, New Year is a very significant day in the life of Rwandans.

Families traditionally gather for meals, many town dwellers head upcountry to celebrate with their families. They also exchange gifts on this day.

Unlike in towns, in villages, traditional wood-charcoal fires light up homes. Most of them are three-stone fires.

According to Mukantirenganya, a resident of Remera, Kigali suburb, Rwandans attach a lot of significance to New Year's Day owing to the past experience they went through.

"We went through a lot as a country therefore celebrating New Year is very important to us Rwandans," said Mukantirenganya, referring to the 1994 genocide in which about a million lives were lost.

"So many Rwandans were killed during the genocide. That we are alive; it's something worth thanking God for each New Year. During this time we reflect on our past and think about the future."

Rwanda's level of development fell during the genocide of 1994.

But over the years the country has changed for the better.

Rwandans can now expect to live almost 32 years longer than in 1990, and spend twice as long at school, according to the United Nations' Human Development Index released in December.

"The whole Kigali city now looks different with magnificent new structures. The city is pristine and safe. Generally there has been a lot of development. The New Year provides an opportunity for us to celebrate all these achievements as a country with optimism," Mukantirenganya adds.

Clarisse Batamuliza, a city businesswoman says the New Year is the only day when all the family members get together.

"This year, we will be celebrating 15 years of our marriage, so it's going to be a very big celebration for us. We hope to go to church as a family then go back home and enjoy dinner together," says Batamuliza.

Unlike born again Christians who will be attending prayers at their churches as they celebrate the New Year, others will be visiting night clubs and bars from dawn to dusk.

"There is no other place for me to spend my New Year than partying. Normally the New Year finds me out partying with friends and we bid a collective farewell to the fading year, express joy, hope and make New Year resolutions together," said Jean Marie Habimana.

Still, for most Rwandans, New Year is a day for relaxation and eating roasted goats' meat commonly called brochettes.

Three-course meals are prepared; grilled beef and goat, fried banana and rice features on most menus.

For families that don't want to be bothered by cooking and washing dishes, restaurants remain open.

Batamuliza says their meal has to be accompanied by mashed cassava leaves locally known as isombe.

"By far, New Year is the most exciting night of festivities where families go together somewhere to be entertained." Endit