The objective of this initiative is to promote and preserve Burundi Cultural Heritage within Burundi immigrants living in the city of Kigali and its surroundings. Umutamana Centre shall be One Stop-Centre for the Burundian Community living in the city of Kigali through capacity development, cultural education and healing support through regular cultural gatherings and healing sessions aimed at bridging ancient and modern knowledge in solving social and economic issues among immigrants; including capacity building in regard to traditional knowledge and culture

A quick survey on talented Burundi immigrants in the field of art, traditions, culture and traditional healing processes will be carried out. Experts will be hired for designing the following educational manuals : (1) Manual on Traditional Medicine and Healing processes (2) Manuals on Traditional Technology such as making sorghum beer, cow butter, vegetable salt, among others (3) Manual on Traditional Governance (4) Manual on General Etiquette for the Child and the Youth (5) Manual of traditional tales (6) Manual for Traditional Architecture and Environment The Centre shall organise regular training for immigrant youth and adults based on the aforementioned educational materials. Evening gatherings on how to apply Traditional Knowledge to current social development issues shall be organised and traditional music instruments played (Flute, harpe, drums,...) as entertainment. Existing materiel on Burundi Traditional Knowledge shall be collected for conservation

This initiative will be coordinated under Umutamana Centre. There is already a Managing Director and two staff (Junior Multimedia Expert and Logistics assistant). A Memorandum of Understanding ( or contracts in same cases) shall be signed with core Partners in order to ensure legal and working frameworks, in order to define clearly roles and responsibilities. In order to facilitate smooth running of activities, Umutamana Centre shall prepare proposals, concept notes, Terms of Reference for studies, and submitted them for discussion and adoption with Partners for implementation. The Centre shall have a physical place for the proposed activities.Managing tools such as Rules of Procedures, Intellectual Property guidelines and a Monitoring and Evaluation guide shall be designed and adopted with Partners. Activities to be carried out include: an annual festival, trade show and exhibitions for traditional products made by Burundi community members; to design educational tools (curricula, manuals, etc.) on Burundi Traditional Knowledge and Values such traditional medicine, making hand crafts, playing traditional harp, flutes and other instruments, Burundi Traditional Governance and general etiquette for youth and children, among others; put in place a shop/ stand for books and traditional products; carry out research in the field of traditional knowledge, culture and social cohesion. The core beneficiaries are members of the Burundi community living in Kigali and its surroundings. However, there are various activities which shall have an increasing impact on the people of Burundi as a whole, living in Burundi or abroad through communication tools and social media.

Umutamana Centre, Goethe Institute Kigali, Intwari Association (Traditional artists)