Kiki Katese (March 21, 2014) (Feminist Paper Doll Project 2014)

March 21, 2014
Kiki Katese

Odile Gakire Katese (Kiki) is the founder of the first all-female drumming troupe in Rwanda. After the 1994 genocide that killed over 1 million Rwandas (Hutus and Tutsis alike) there were fear and mistrust. Kiki Katese created a sanctuary open to women and children with one caveat: "leave categories of the past at the gate."

Building upon the dance and drumming troupe, Ingoma Nshya also opened Rwanda's first ever ice cream shop. The purpose of the shop was to bring sweetness to the community as well as to bring people to the concept of openness and acceptance. In Rwanda, it was taboo for women to even touch a drum, let alone play the drum. Kiki Katese saw the drumming as anew way to bring people together. She says, "when you accept to forgive, to be reconnected to other people, then you move forward."

More about Kiki Katese and Ingoma Nshya (new drum) here:
http://www.sweetdreamsrwanda.com/film/

here: http://www.thecommongroundblog.com/2012/10/19/meet-the-2012-common-ground-awardees-ingoma-nshya-new-era/

and here: http://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/index.php?i=15663&a=14569