kubandwa
koo-BAH-ndwah
How to say it
Kinyarwandakubandwakoo-BAH-ndwahsoon
Englishto be initiated into the Ryangombe cultsoon
Frenchêtre initié au culte de Ryangombesoon
Meaning
In the old Rwandan religion, to be initiated into the cult of Ryangombe and the imandwa spirits, or to take part in its rites and dances.
Good to know
Often paired with guterekera, to make offerings to ancestral spirits: kubandwa no guterekera. The initiate is umubandwa, plural ababandwa. Burundi has the same rite in honor of Kiranga.
Examples
- Sogokuru yambwiye ko kera abantu babandwaga.My grandfather told me that long ago people were initiated into the cult.
- Kubandwa byari umuhango ukomeye mu idini rya kera.Initiation into the cult was an important rite in the old religion.
- Abakristu ntibemerewe kubandwa no guterekera.Christians are not allowed to join the cult or make offerings to spirits.
The same word in
Not yet checked by a native speaker.