Burundi

Overview

Burundi is a landlocked small East Africa country. Its capital city is Bujumbura. The country had a population of 11.57 million people in 2019. Interestingly, the country’s borders were not determined by colonial rulers.

The majority of the population is Hutu who are farmers and Tutsi who have lasted in power for long. Tutsi has been controlling the army and economy in coffee exportation. It has three major languages, Kirundi, French, and English and Kiswahili minor language.

Lake Tanganyika near Bujumbura.

In 1890, kingdoms of Burundi and Rwanda became integrated into East of Africa. In 1916, the Belgian army came into the land and the country became a Belgian protectorate.

Burundi gained independence in 1962 after being separated from Rwanda.

Hutu and Tutsi have been having conflicts since the country became independent. In the 1990s, the conflict turned into a big civil war that kept the country in much disorder and instability which made few Burundians escape their country. There were bloody flames which displayed the Rundi proverb “Do not call for lightning to strike down your enemies, for it may also strike down your friends. The international peacekeeping force did not intervene to help them solve conflicts which caused the war to spill into their neighbours Rwanda and DRC. Today, the country is still faced with the task of rebuilding their country, ending tribal differences, and promoting unity.

President Pierre Nkurunziza was the first president to be elected in the country’s democratic elections.

In 2015, the country got into a crisis again when Mr Nkurunziza bid to be re-elected for the third term, the opposition Bururundians claimed that was unconstitutional. In May 2018 referendum results, people voted for amendment of the constitution that would only allow president Nkurunziza to be in power until 2034.

Burundi is one of the world’s poorest countries. The major food crops are bananas, cassava, sorghum, rice, millet, and maize. The major exports are coffee and tea.

The major religion is Christianity. However, there are a few Islam and some follow African religions.

The most popular sport in the country is football, followed by basketball.

Education system comprises of free primary education for six grades for children between age 13 and 7, and four grades for the lower secondary education level.

Burundi is bordered to the North by Rwanda, to the east and south Tanzania, to the southwest Lake Tanganyika and to the west DRC.

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History

Burundi was a kingdom for centuries before German and then Belgian colonial rule. It became independent in 1962, and the following decades were marked by ethnic conflict, including a civil war from 1993 to 2005.

Food & culture

Beans, plantains, cassava and sweet potatoes are staples, with fish from Lake Tanganyika. The royal drummers of Burundi perform a ritual dance recognised by UNESCO.

Wildlife

Kibira and Rusizi national parks protect chimpanzees, monkeys, hippos and many bird species.

Festivals & events

Independence Day on 1 July is the main national holiday, often accompanied by drumming performances.

Things to see

Lake Tanganyika beaches near Bujumbura, the Karera waterfalls, Gishora drum sanctuary and Kibira forest.

Interesting facts

Gitega replaced Bujumbura as the political capital in 2019. Lake Tanganyika is the second-deepest lake in the world.

Neighbours

• Democratic Republic Of The Congo
• Rwanda
• Tanzania