Explore Burundi is our series featuring cultural information and insights into the place where we work, and where you help us bring hope to so many.
Rumonge, is the capital of Rumonge Province, Burundi, and is located on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. Rumonge is 75 km (46 miles) from Bujumbura and is one of Burundi's oldest and most populous cities. It is a former trading post created in the 19th century by Zanzibarites, where Muslim influences for religion and Swahili influences for culture are dominant.
With a good location, in the heart of the plain, lake access, and a hinge position between the high altitude road leading into the mountainous interior and the coastal road leading to the capital, Rumonge is an active urban center.
Fishing and trade take place in the shade of palm trees in a pleasant atmosphere. Although it is supervised by the Burundian customs officers who ensure the payment of taxes on the loads coming from Tanzania (fish and also fabrics), the improvised auction on the pier is a good time to observe. The arrival of each boat provokes a frenetic animation, and even without the possibility of cooking, one is very keen to buy fish there, if only to chat with the fishermen.
The city is also at the heart of a flourishing and highly profitable regional economy—palm oil—which is the source of wealth in this part of the country. Throughout the Rumonge plain, small artisanal presses can be seen extracting oil from palm husks and an industrial refinery (oil and soap) is also located here. Rice, introduced by the Swahili populations at the end of the 19th century, also thrives here, in the drained plain and the surrounding marshes.
Located on the outskirts of Rumonge, is the Blue Bay Resort. A popular tourist destination and eco-friendly resort that offers beautiful views of Lake Tanganyika. Feel free to take a dip in the lake, but just be on the lookout for hippos that live in the lake, and can be territorial and aggressive if they feel threatened.
Thanks to the active fishing market, palm oil refinery, tourism, and Rumonge residents fair slightly better than the rest of the population.
Gazelle Foundation: Clean Water. Clear Futures.
Burundi is consistently ranked one of the poorest countries in the world. It has the 12th highest child mortality rate globally, and those deaths are primarily due to preventable, water-borne diseases. Water-borne contaminants are the leading cause of death overall in Burundi. Over 3 million Burundians will require aid this year, but certain government regulations make it very difficult for non-governmental organizations to operate there, making the need greater still. Our unique knowledge of the area, and our partnerships there, enable us to provide clean water to thousands of Burundians every year. Learn more about why water matters.