The sound of Moroccan music filled the venue as members of the Rwandan dance troupe I Buhoro took the stage. Their carefully choreographed performance, inspired by Rwanda’s traditional Intore dance, captivated guests gathered in Kigali on July 30 to celebrate Morocco’s Throne Day.
By combining Moroccan musical heritage with one of Rwanda’s most iconic cultural traditions, the artists set the tone for an evening that celebrated not only diplomatic ties but also cultural dialogue between the two countries.
For Kanyankore Mucyo, a member of the troupe, the artistic choice was deliberate. Having recently performed at the 2026 Gnaoua and World Music Festival in Essaouira, the dancers decided to recreate that cultural fusion during the reception in Kigali.
“We thought that if we tried to imitate their dance and didn’t do it well, it could send the wrong message. So we chose to use Moroccan music while performing our own traditional dance without compromising its authenticity,” he said, expressing satisfaction with the audience’s enthusiastic response.
Since December 2024, Intore has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The traditional dance celebrates bravery, strength and unity through movements rooted in Rwanda’s warrior traditions. Its inclusion in the ceremony added a cultural dimension to a bilateral relationship that continues to deepen.
In his address, Mostapha Manzhi, chargé d’affaires ad interim at Morocco’s embassy in Rwanda, said the reception represented far more than a national celebration.
“This evening celebrates friendship, shared aspirations and confidence in the potential of Africans when they work together with respect and ambition,” he said, while also praising “Rwanda’s remarkable journey of reconstruction, resilience and transformation.”
The diplomat noted that relations between Rabat and Kigali have steadily expanded across multiple sectors, including education, agriculture, investment, finance, pharmaceuticals and capacity building, reflecting a shared vision based on practical and mutually beneficial African partnerships.
The same commitment was echoed by the Rwandan government.
Representing the government, Fidelis Mironko, Permanent Secretary at Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said economic diplomacy remains a cornerstone of Rwanda’s foreign policy.
According to Mironko, Morocco’s expertise in renewable energy, fertilizer production, financial services, infrastructure and logistics opens new opportunities for cooperation with Rwanda as it seeks to establish itself as a regional hub for innovation and sustainable development.
Beyond official speeches and bilateral agreements, the celebration reflected a shared belief in Rabat and Kigali that relations between nations are also built through people, artists and culture.
The event echoed King Mohammed VI’s vision of African cooperation founded on concrete partnerships and ever-stronger human connections.
