Mukanyandwi Claudine 
Ingoma Artist

Mukanyandwi has been with INGOMA NSHYA (THE WOMEN DRUMMERS OF RWANDA) for sixteen years, and has toured Rwanda and the world with them, including to the Edinburgh International Festival with the hit show, The Book of Life. Mukanyandwi also teaches drumming and warrior dancing to school girls in Southern Province, Rwanda, as part of Ingoma Nshya’s Gira Ingoma initiative (One Drum One Girl). 

Ingoma Nshya was founded in Huye, Rwanda in 2004 by a group of women from all sides of the conflict, who were looking for a way to heal after the trauma of genocide, and move forward together. They chose drumming, a taboo activity for women at the time, and an activity synonymous with empowerment. Over the course of the next 20 years, Ingoma Nshya broke new ground for women in Rwanda, and East Africa, and, in so doing, brought drumming back to a country from which it was nearly eradicated. They are now considered the best drummers in the country. Mukanyandwi is a core member of the company.