On October 9, photos of a traditional healer, cultural researcher, and philosopher, Modeste Nzayisenga Rutangarwamaboko, meeting the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr Ildephonse Musafiri, and the Director General of Rwanda Agricultural and Animal Resources Board (RAB), Dr Thelesphore Ndabamenye, circulated on social media.
The photos elicited quite a debate -- officials clad in suits, meeting a man many consider an 'herbalist', dressed in barkcloth, playing the traditional Rwandan board game 'Igisoro', as they talked., said he discussed with the senior officials the socioeconomic importance of traditional food crops, livestock farming and medicinal plants in the country's quest to ensure sustainable food security.
From pumpkins and their seeds to beans, millet, and sorghum which would be turned into different meals, Rutangarwamaboko said research has shown that these traditional food crops have more nutritional value than scientifically improved or modern imported breeds. In regards to traditional medicine, Rutangarwamaboko, considers himself a 'mighty traditional healer' and 'high priest of Rwanda' from the heritage of his great grandfather.
As a matter of fact, Rutangarwamaboko, said that he has been able to heal people who could not be treated by modern medicine using traditional-based ways and it worked. "People need to understand that whatever we see today happened because of a certain culture and belief somewhere. Modern clothes were made because at first there was the barkcloth. Everything started somewhere," Rutangarwamaboko argued.
However, it would make a difference if Rwandans looked back at how these apparel used to be made, and applied the knowledge to modern manufacturing. From his discussions with officials, Rutangarwamaboko believes that these traditional cultural values will once again be considered and integrated into national programmes.
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