Welcome to Explore Burundi, our new series on Burundian culture. This series will feature cultural information and insights into the place where we work, and where you help us bring hope to so many.
The akazehe is a traditional form of musical greeting practiced by women in Burundi. Offered as part of the Gazelle Foundation's Explore Burundi series. Watch the 1-minute video.
We’re so happy water is here
With water, we don’t have to travel too far from home
Two women in Burundi, on their way to gather clean water from their village’s new water system, meet on a path. In front of a thatched roof, they place their arms around each other and begin the akazehe, a traditional and joyful form of Burundian greeting performed only by women.
Water is close to home
Thank you for bringing water close to the road
“We’re so happy water is here,” one says, as the other replies in agreement. Their two voices follow one another, in a regular pulsating rhythm, blending the spoken word and song into a new kind of expression, something completely different from either.
Akazehe greetings are part of the rich oral tradition of Burundi, which relays history and stories through the spoken word, poetry, and song. The akazehe turns a simple daily greeting into an interwoven, call and response musical form. It has a poetic quality, elevating a simple courtesy into an almost ceremonial act.
We’re so blessed
Wishing you everlasting life
No special occasions are necessary for two women to greet each other with akazehe; a simple encounter between friends is sufficient. However, in this case, these women are celebrating clean water and giving blessings to those who made clean water possible. We at the Gazelle Foundation join them by saying - thank you to our wonderful supporters for making the gift of clean water possible!
For further reading on akazehe, we recommend The Akazehe of Burundi: Polyphonic Interlocking Greetings and the Female Ceremonial by Serena Facci.
