Some songs are powerful decarations of Jesus’ victory set
to explosive Rwandese dance rhythms, and up-tempo songs that celebrate God’s
love and forgiveness; but others include heartfelt cries of pain and woundedness
and simple prayers for God to come with healing power to touch the nation once
again.
Many of the songwriters themselves are young worship
leaders, and are both hutu and tutsi, drawn from many denominational backgrounds
and from across the ethnic divides. They have experienced God’s healing power in
their own lives and are being used through their songs to bring a measure of
healing to Rwandese refugees living abroad as well as in Rwanda itself.
|
TITLE |
SONG STYLE |
DESCRIPTION |
AUTHOR |
|
ManaYacu
Turakwifuza
(Come Lord, we
need You) |
Tender Ballad |
A thoughtful
prayer, touched with sadness, for God to come with healing power for the
nation
|
Rebecca Niyonsaba |
|
Tabara
(Save our
Rwanda) |
Up-tempo refrain-
based song |
Congregational
rhythmic prayer. An appeal for God to touch various aspects of the nation
with healing
|
Esther
Nyiransabimana |
|
Ur’Uwera
(You are holy,
You are God) |
African praise |
Percussion-based
African congregational praise song |
Frederic
Nzamwitakuze |
|
Twambike
Umwenda W’Urukundo
(Clothe us with
love) |
A rhythmic lament |
Highly descriptive
account of personal woundedness. An appeal for all to take their pain to the
cross. |
Evariste
Nzayibonante |
|
Dore Hahiriwe
(Blessed are
those who forgive) |
Up-tempo
celebration |
Refers to various
passages of Scripture in an encouragement for all to practise forgiveness |
Erasme Budadi
|
|
Uwiteka Araje
(The Lord is
coming) |
Ballad |
Poignant Ballad
that speaks prophetically of God’s Spirit coming again to the nation |
Aimé Uwimana |
|
Muganga W’Imitima
(Healer of our
souls) |
Tender Ballad |
A personal
testimony to the power of the cross of Christ in bringing healing and
forgiveness
|
Amiel
Hagumurukundo |
|
Ikinimba
(Traditional
dance - triumph) |
Traditional dance
rhythm |
Used in this case
to celebrate the victory of Christ over all forms of ethnic division |
|
|
Ni Wowe Nanjye
(It’s you and
me) |
Ballad |
Congregational
song - a song that declares the unity of God’s church |
Rebecca
Niyonsaba |
|
Umushayayo
(Traditional
dance - unity) |
Traditional dance
rhythm |
Congregational
song that declares our desire to see the lost won for Christ |
|
|
Turi Bamwe
(We are all
one) |
Rock Ballad or
anthem |
Congregational
song on unity. Here, translated from the English version into kinyarwanda
|
Dave Bankhead
translated:
Richard Gasana |
|
Igyshakamba
(Traditional
dance - victory) |
Traditional dance
rhythm |
Traditional song
that celebrates Christ’s victory. |
|
