Culture, Literature, Music, and Dance

Burundians cherish strong oral traditions. Folk tales and fables are often set to music and no distinction is made between music and poetry. The Tutsi are particularly known for their epic songs and dynastic poetry, strongly flavored with traditional mythology. Cattle, local history, and the travels of the god Imana throughout the country are the most important themes of Burundian literary and musical traditions. Tall, splendidly adorned intore dancers and tambourinaires (drummers) were traditionally entertainers for the royal elite and tourists.