The next inhabitants were the agricultural and pastoralist immigrants from the west. It is alleged that before the 15th century a ruler called Gihanga forged a centralized Rwanda state with similar roots to the Bunyoro and Buganda empires in the neighboring country of Uganda.

The precursors of the modern-day Tutsi and Hutu were a cattle owning nobility and agriculturalists respectively. The well established and powerful state was able to protest earlier attempts at the advent of European imperialism.

However, after the 1885, Berlin conference, Rwanda became a German colony.
Rwanda was later mandated to Belgium in the 1918 resulting into the implementation of indirect rule that actually triggered off to the acute divisions between the Tutsi and Hutu; a practice that has persisted up to date.

It should be noted that traditional music and dance is a vital component of the Rwanda people. Natives have a variety of music and dance associated with acts and performance that demonstrates epics commemorating bravery, harmony and humorous lyrics to hunting root. Musical instruments accompanying traditional songs include; a harp-like instrument with eight (8) strings and the Lilunga whereas eminent celebratory dances are backed by a drum; , Orchestra; comprising of seven (&) to nine (9) members who produce a hypnotic and thrilling sounds of organized rhythms.

The most popular traditional dance troupe is the “Intore Dance troupe.” The word intore means the chosen one’s, it was established centuries ago and once performed for the Royal court; currently their memorable performance can be arranged upon a short notice through the National museum at Butale. The music of Rwanda is also soothing, so don’t miss this activity.

Crafted handicrafts also contribute to richness of the country’s culture.

The male dance, referred to as Intore in the Kinyarwanda language, were worriors in the past. On the other hand, the female’s dance is usually compared to ballet. It is meant to display the grace as well as the beauty of the women of Rwanda and emulating cattle’s movement.

Cattle is a kind of wealth in both Rwandan and Burundian culture.
However, the Rwandan dance is done by all the three ethnic groups of Rwanda including the Hutu, Tutsi and Twa.

From the Iinimba through the Imishayayo up to the Intore, men dance to depict love and care. Ikinimba is part of the traditional courtship ritual. It is danced by men and un married women. When a woman gets married, she may stop performing in the dance. Even after they have married.

Visitors who are lucky might get the opportunity to spontaneous traditional dances in the villages of Rwanda. The Intore Dance Troupe is the best exponent of Rwanda’s several and dynamic traditional musical and dance styles. Started many hundreds of years back, the Intore-literacy ‘The Chosen ones’-at the time danced exclusively for the Royal court, however, today, their exciting dance can be organized at short notice through the national Museum in Butare. A more   modern type of Rwandan music is the up beat and harmonious devotional singing, which can be heard in any church service all over the state.