''Intore'', sometimes called the Dance of Heroes, is a traditional dance performed by men in

Rwanda Rwanda, officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa, where the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa converge. Located a few degrees south of the Equator, Rwanda is bordered by ...

and

Burundi Burundi, officially the Republic of Burundi, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is located in the Great Rift Valley at the junction between the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa, with a population of over 14 million peop ...

; women are not allowed to do so. Intore came to Rwanda in the 1830s when the royal Muyange fled fighting in neighbouring Burundi Kingdom and was granted asylum by the King of Rwanda. In pre-colonial times, ''intore'' was a war dance performed by the

Tutsi The Tutsi ( ), also called Watusi, Watutsi or Abatutsi (), are an ethnic group of the African Great Lakes region. They are a Bantu languages, Bantu-speaking ethnic group and the second largest of three main ethnic groups in Rwanda and Burundi ( ...

military. Dance numbers were often war-themed, and the performing men carried actual weapons. Present-day ''intore'' dancers do not carry actual weapons, but instead use replicas. It is now performed at various celebrations and public ceremonies, including family gatherings and national events. The dance is accompanied by drum ensemble (from seven to nine drums), providing strong, almost hypnotic set of rhythms. Melodic interludes are provided by the ''lulunga'', a harp-like instrument with eight strings. Potential dancers are chosen based on physical and moral attributes. Before they can perform, the ''intore'' dancers receive training, where they learn the steps of the dance as well as moral values.

Recognition as an Intangible Heritage

As of December 2, 2024, the Intore dance was inscribed on

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...

's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage during the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, held in

Paraguay Paraguay, officially the Republic of Paraguay, is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the Argentina–Paraguay border, south and southwest, Brazil to the Brazil–Paraguay border, east and northeast, and Boli ...

References

Culture of Rwanda Culture of Burundi Folk dances Dance in Africa {{Rwanda-stub