As Burundi commemorates its 63rd year of independence, diaspora communities across the world have united in celebration, remembrance, and a deep reflection on the country’s historical journey and identity. From North America to Asia, Burundian diplomatic missions organized ceremonies highlighting the enduring legacy of Ingoma y’Uburundi — the ancient Burundian kingdom — and the nation’s post-colonial path.
In Brussels, Belgium, the commemoration was led by Ambassador Ntahiraja Thérence, while in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ambassador Mwamba Ntirampeba presided over events focusing on Burundi’s agricultural diplomacy.
Similar observances took place in Beijing, Washington D.C., Rome, Kampala, Ottawa, Rabat, and Cape Town, each reinforcing the diaspora’s connection to homeland and heritage.
Ambassadors, dignitaries, and community leaders used these moments not only to celebrate independence but to call for continued national unity, historical consciousness, and strategic engagement with the multipolar global order.
“Every Murundi must carry within them a deep awareness of our history.
It is only through this understanding that we can shape a future rooted in dignity and sovereignty,” said one diplomatic speaker during the Brussels event.
Burundi, founded as Ingoma y’Uburundi — a sacred diarchy of the Karyenda drum and the Mwami (king) — is one of Africa’s oldest states. Its unique governance system was disrupted during colonization, a period spanning from 1878 to 1962.
Historians note that colonial forces dismantled traditional institutions and replaced them with Western-style structures.
A pivotal moment came in 1966 when a military coup dismantled Ingoma, replacing it with a republic — an act viewed by many scholars as entrenching neocolonialism.
The painful legacy of the 1972 genocide against the Hutu population continues to weigh heavily on national consciousness.
According to recent publications, this genocide dismantled Ubumu, a traditional socio-economic system led by women — represented by the symbolic Tambour Mukakaryenda — and replaced it with a Westernized market economy.
The African Union’s recent resolution in February 2025, declaring European colonization a crime against humanity, was widely echoed during the diaspora ceremonies, seen as a historic step toward memorial justice.
As Burundi continues to reconstruct its identity and reclaim sovereignty over its historical narrative, the diaspora plays a crucial role in advancing international understanding, promoting cultural heritage, and advocating for policies rooted in traditional values and national pride.
This year’s celebrations, held across continents, underscored a collective commitment to remembering the past, healing from its wounds, and envisioning a future guided by the principles of unity, resilience, and cultural rebirth.
About The Author
