The Gishora Drum Sanctuary

The Gishora Drum Sanctuary, set on a hilltop near the historic royal city of Gitega in central Burundi, is the spiritual home of one of Africa's most powerful cultural traditions, the sacred ritual drumming recognised by UNESCO as a masterpiece of intangible heritage. In Burundi the great drums, or ingoma, are revered symbols once tied to kingship, fertility and the very identity of the nation. At Gishora, established by an early king, visitors can witness the electrifying spectacle of the royal drummers: a troop who balance the heavy drums on their heads, strike them in thunderous unison and leap and dance in acrobatic, exuberant performance. It is an unforgettable and deeply moving expression of living Burundian culture.

What you actually see

• The sacred drums - the revered ingoma royal drums.
• The drumming spectacle - the thunderous unison performances.
• The acrobatic dance - the leaping, exuberant drummers.
• The hilltop sanctuary - the historic royal drum shrine.

When to go

June to September, the dry season, is the most comfortable time to visit the hilltop sanctuary and enjoy the drumming performances in fine weather; performances can often be arranged for visitors, and the tradition features at cultural celebrations throughout the year. The dry months suit the outdoor spectacle.

Honest expectations

As a living cultural site, the full drumming spectacle is best experienced when a performance is arranged, so a little planning or a guided visit ensures the drummers are present. As the sacred home of Burundi's revered royal drums and their thunderous, acrobatic ritual, a UNESCO-recognised masterpiece of living heritage, though, Gishora offers an unforgettable and deeply moving cultural experience.

Nearby

The historic city of Gitega and the National Museum lie nearby.