Rwanda Rwacu was the national anthem

National anthem

A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a nation's government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people.- History :Anthems rose to prominence...

 of Rwanda

Rwanda

Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...

 from 1962 to January 1, 2002, when it was replaced with Rwanda Nziza

Rwanda Nziza

"'" has been the national anthem of Rwanda since January 1, 2002.It replaces , which had been the national anthem since 1962.The lyrics are as follows:-External links:* * * *...

.

Kinyarwanda lyrics

Rwanda rwacu, Rwanda gihugu cyambyaye,

Ndakuratana ishyaka n'ubutwali.

Iyo nibutse ibigwi wagize kugeza ubu,

nshimira Abanyarwanda bacyu bazanye Repubulika idahinyuka.

Bavandimwe b'uru Rwanda rwacu twese nimuhaguruke,

Turubumbatire mu mahoro, mukuli, mu bwigenge no mu bwumvikane.



Impundu ni zivuge mu Rwanda hose,

Republika yakuye ubuhake,

Ubukolonize bwagiye nk'ifuni iheze.

Shinga umuzi Demokarasi

Waduhaye kwitorera abategetsi.

Banyarwanda: abakuru

Namwe abato mwizihiye u Rwanda,

Turubumbatire mu mahoro, mu kuli,

Mu bwigenge no mu bwumvikane.



Bavukarwanda mwese muvuze impundu,

Demokarasi yarwo iraganje.

Twayiharaniye rwose twese uko tungana.

Gatutsi, Gatwa na gahutu
Namwe banyarwanda bandi mwabyiyemeje,

Indepandansi twatsindiye

Twese hamwe tuyishyikire,

Turubumbatire mu mahoro, mu kuli,

Mu bwigenge no mu bwumvikane.



Nimuze dusingize Ibendera ryacu.

Arakabaho na Prezida wacu.

Barakabaho abaturage b'iki Gihugu.

Intego yacu Banyarwanda

Twishyime kandi twizane mu Rwanda rwacu.

Twese hamwe, twunge ubumwe

Nta mususu dutere imbere ko,

Turubumbatire mu mahoro, mu kuli,

Mu bwigenge no mu bwumvikane.

English lyrics

My Rwanda

Rwanda

Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...

, land that gave me birth,

Fearlessly, tirelessly, I boast of you!

When I recall your achievements to this very day,

I praise the pioneers who have brought in our unshakeable Republic.

Brothers all, sons of this Rwanda of ours,

Come, rise up all of you,

Let us cherish her in peace and in truth,

In freedom and in harmony!



Let the victory drums beat throughout all Rwanda!

The Republic has swept away feudal bondage.

Colonialism has faded away like a worn-out shoe.

Democracy, take root!

Through you we have chosen our own rulers.

People of Rwanda, old and young, citizens all,

Let us cherish her in peace and in truth,

In freedom and in harmony!



Home-born Rwandans all, beat the victory drums!

Democracy has triumphed in our land.

All of us together we have striven for it arduously.

Together we have decreed it- Tutsi

Tutsi

The Tutsi , or Abatutsi, are an ethnic group in Central Africa. Historically they were often referred to as the Watussi or Watusi. They are the second largest caste in Rwanda and Burundi, the other two being the Hutu and the Twa ....

, Twa

Twa

The Twa are any of several hunting peoples of Africa who live interdependently with agricultural Bantu populations, and generally hold a socially subordinate position: They provide the farming population with game in exchange for agricultural products....

, Hutu

Hutu

The Hutu , or Abahutu, are a Central African people, living mainly in Rwanda, Burundi, and eastern DR Congo.-Population statistics:The Hutu are the largest of the three peoples in Burundi and Rwanda; according to the United States Central Intelligence Agency, 84% of Rwandans and 85% of Burundians...

, with other racial elements,

This hard-won Independence of ours,

Let us all join to build it up!

Let us cherish it in peace and in truth,

In freedom and in harmony!



Come let us extol our Flag!

Long live our President, long live the citizens of our land!

Let this be our aim, people of Rwanda:

To stand on our own feet, in our own right, by our own means.

Let us promote unity and banish fear.

Let us go forward together in Rwanda.

Let us cherish her in peace and in truth,

In freedom and in harmony!