Nyagakecuru, the Woman, the King, the Serpent, and the Goats

Once upon a time, in Rwanda, there was a woman named Nyagakecuru, who ruled over a hill with an iron fist. Old but cunning, she refused to submit to kings and governed alone, surrounded by loyal warriors. Her power seemed unshakable, but one day, a young hero named Ruganzu Ndoli used his wisdom to confront her. Rather than fighting her head-on, he dried up the water source that sustained her domain. Starving and thirsty, Nyagakecuru gradually lost her grip, and her men abandoned her. Thus, through intelligence rather than force, Ruganzu ended her reign, and the hill found peace once more.

Reality or fiction, Nyagakecuru’s story continues to haunt Rwanda’s hills and its people—including Guillaume Sardin. Having lived in Rwanda for several years before venturing elsewhere, Sardin transitioned from architecture to art and returned to Kigali for an exhibition, Umugore, Umwami, Inzoka n’Ihene, presented on February 8 at the Atelier Pop-Up Gallery in Kimihurura. Through this exhibition, the artist invites us to immerse ourselves in the fascinating history of Nyagakecuru, a central figure in Rwandan history. Through a monumental painting and a series of Ingogoro (painted milk pots), the exhibition explores the legacy of this female leader from the Huye region, whose influence marked her era and continues to resonate in Rwanda’s collective imagination.

A timeless heroine, whose values continue to resonate in today’s Rwanda

In Guillaume Sardin’s work, Nyagakecuru takes center stage once again. Through his art, Sardin questions how the story of this powerful woman has been told and reinterpreted over time, while honoring her greatness and legacy. The artist plays with the ambiguity of storytelling to examine historiography, raising questions about the power of narratives and their ability to shape collective memory.

The painted Ingogoro, traditionally associated with Rwandan daily life, become in this exhibition a vehicle for history and memory. Each carefully decorated pot echoes ancestral stories, particularly those surrounding Nyagakecuru. These objects, both utilitarian and symbolic, are reimagined by Sardin as historical witnesses, carrying traces of a time when women played a key role in knowledge transmission and community leadership.

Through his monumental painting, Guillaume Sardin offers a new perspective on Nyagakecuru, emphasizing her ability to navigate between spirituality, power, and wisdom. The artwork questions the status of women in historical narratives, highlighting the importance of recognizing and celebrating figures often erased by grand male-centric histories.

Guillaume Sardin positions himself as an external observer questioning how history is constructed, forgotten, and rewritten. Through this artistic approach, the artist sheds light on the subjectivity of historical narratives and their constant evolution over time. The exhibition thus creates a space for reflection on how women like Nyagakecuru are often relegated to the margins of official history, despite their fundamental role in shaping society.

The artist plays on the tension between Rwandan oral history and contemporary interpretation, opening a dialogue between tradition and modernity. Through this exploration of Nyagakecuru’s figure, Sardin invites us to reflect on collective memory and its impact on shaping today’s Rwandan identity while emphasizing the need to give voice to those whose history has been overshadowed.

Sardin’s work does not merely recount Nyagakecuru’s story: it revives her voice, breathes life into it, and allows it to transcend time. Through this, the artist highlights the importance of female figures in historical narratives and their ability to embody models of leadership, resistance, and resilience. Nyagakecuru, through this exhibition, becomes much more than a character from the past—she represents a timeless heroine, whose values continue to resonate in today’s Rwanda.

Thus, Umugore, Umwami, Inzoka n’Ihene is not just an art exhibition but an invitation to reexamine the role of women in history and to restore figures like Nyagakecuru to their rightful place. It is a call to preserve the memory of Rwanda’s female leaders while questioning how history is told and passed down through generations.

For more information: https://www.guillaumesardin.com