A joyous explosion of drum, dance and song from the internationally acclaimed Ingoma Nshya: the women drummers of Rwanda.

In Rwanda, the word for “powerˮ is the same as the word for “drumˮ: ingoma. In 2004, a group of women seeking to heal after a genocide made a revolutionary choice: they broke a centuries-old taboo against women drumming, and formed Ingoma Nshya—the first all-women drumming ensemble in Rwandan history. This was literal empowerment.

Ingoma! is their story—a joyous storytelling concert featuring the extraordinary talents of these remarkable women. Rwandan founder, Kiki Katese, and Ineza Mugisha, a young Rwandan-Canadian soprano whose family fled as refugees, are our guides through a thrilling collection of rhythms, song, and dance from East and West Africa. Joined onstage by the virtuosic women drummers of Ingoma Nshya, they reveal the hardships, triumphs, and histories behind the music—stories connected by recovery from violence, the overcoming of discrimination, and pure joy.

Co-Created, Writer & Narrator: Gakire Katese Odile “Kikiˮ (RW) Director & Co-Creator: Ross Manson (CA)

Music: Ingoma Nshya (RW)

Co-Narrated: Ineza Mugisha (CA)

Ingoma Nshya, the Women Drummers of Rwanda: Ingabire Rose (RW), Kamariza Médiatrice (RW), Mukamugema Chantal (RW), Mukanyandwi Claudine (RW), Mukeshimana Alphonsine (RW), Mushimiyimana Marguerite (RW), Uwamariya Clémentine (RW), Uwintije Clémentine (RW), Uwizerwa Marie Noella (RW)

Live Shadow Puppetry: Kristine White (CA) & Katese Aurore (RW)

Producers: Women Cultural Center í Rúanda Volcano (CA) í samstarfi við Ndabaga Collective

Co-Commissioned by:

Edinburgh International Festival

ArtsEmerson í Boston

Perelman Performing Arts Center í New York (PAC NYC)

University of Georgia Performing Arts

Luminato Festival Toronto