Ethnographic Museum

The Ethnographic Museum is a cultural institution in Mbazi with seven galleries displaying historical artifacts, archaeological objects, and traditional tools from Rwandan history. The collections document how people worked and lived across different periods of the country's past.

The museum was founded in 1989 with support from the Belgian government and King Baudouin at that time. It was created to serve as the country's main institution for documenting and preserving Rwandan cultural heritage.

The display sections here represent different aspects of Rwandan society, from farming methods and cattle herding to traditional dress and building techniques. Objects come from various regions and periods, showing how local practices varied across the country.

The museum is open daily to visitors and provides ample time to explore the collections at your own pace. It helps to check in advance about any special closures on significant national days or community service periods.

The facility includes an active craft workshop where visitors can watch local artisans at work. Here you can see how traditional Rwandan handicrafts are made using methods passed down through generations.