The sounds and movements of Rwanda filled Midaz Golf Senayan on 18 July 2026 as traditional musician Ruti Joël introduced Indonesian audiences to the contemporary spirit of Gakondo, Rwanda’s cultural music tradition.
Organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in Jakarta, the cultural night brought together diplomats, musicians, media representatives, and guests for an evening designed to strengthen friendship between Rwanda and Indonesia through music, dance, and shared experience.
A First Cultural Milestone for the Embassy
Opening the evening, Théophile Rurangwa, First Counsellor of the Embassy of Rwanda in Jakarta, described the program as the embassy’s first dedicated cultural event since establishing its resident mission in Indonesia in 2024. He said the concert reflected Rwanda’s commitment to introducing its artistic heritage to Indonesian audiences while expanding cultural and people-to-people connections between the two countries.
The Embassy of Rwanda in Jakarta was officially inaugurated on 6 June 2024 through a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Rwanda’s then Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Vincent Biruta, Indonesia’s then Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, and Ambassador Sheikh Abdul Karim Harelimana.
The opening carried broader diplomatic significance, making Rwanda the eighth Sub-Saharan African country to establish a resident embassy in the Indonesian capital. Since then, the mission has steadily expanded its engagement in diplomacy, education, trade, tourism, and culture.
Ambassador Harelimana was also present at the Midaz cultural night. In a lively demonstration of diplomacy beyond formal speeches, he joined Ruti Joël and guests on the dance floor, creating a warm and interactive atmosphere that reflected the evening’s message of friendship.
Giving Gakondo a Contemporary Voice
Ruti Joël has emerged as one of the leading figures in the revival of Gakondo, blending traditional Kinyarwanda poetry, ancestral rhythms, and cultural storytelling with Afrobeat, R&B, acoustic music, and contemporary choreography.
His songs preserve memories of family, identity, resilience, and national pride while presenting Rwanda’s heritage in a form that resonates with younger and international audiences. His albums Musomandera and Rutakisha reflect that balance between cultural continuity and modern expression.
During his media interview, Ruti explained what makes Rwandan music distinctive and what he hoped Indonesian audiences would take from the performance.
“Our music carries the stories of our ancestors, our language, and our values. Even as Rwanda embraces modernity, we believe our cultural heritage should continue to inspire future generations,” he said.
His performance demonstrated that traditional culture does not need to remain fixed in the past. Instead, it can evolve, travel, and speak to new audiences without losing its identity.
Music Beyond Language and Borders
For Ruti, performing in Indonesia was also an exercise in cultural diplomacy.
Although many guests could not understand the Kinyarwanda lyrics, the emotions conveyed through rhythm, movement, and performance created an immediate connection. Joy, pride, courage, and togetherness required little translation.
The evening revealed notable similarities between the artistic traditions of Rwanda and Indonesia. Rwanda’s energetic Intore and Guhamiriza dances share themes of bravery and discipline with Indonesia’s Balinese Baris dance and the Dayak Kancet Papatai warrior tradition. Rwanda’s Ingoma drums, meanwhile, carry a ceremonial and communal role comparable to Indonesia’s gamelan, gendang, and other regional percussion ensembles.
Both countries also have younger artists blending inherited musical traditions with global sounds. Just as Indonesian musicians increasingly combine gamelan, angklung, and regional languages with electronic and popular music, Ruti brings Gakondo into conversation with Afrobeat and contemporary performance.
A Growing Cultural Presence in Indonesia
The Midaz concert built upon a series of cultural engagements undertaken by the embassy since its establishment.
In July 2025, the embassy commemorated Kwibohora 31, Rwanda’s 31st Liberation Day, through a cultural gathering in Jakarta. In January 2026, it joined the Indonesia Cultural Outlook forum, supporting discussions on cultural cooperation, educational exchanges, and potential artist engagement.
The embassy later participated in Francophonie Week, presenting elements of Rwandan art, film, landscapes, coffee, and tea to Indonesian audiences. During Africa Day 2026, Rwanda also showcased cultural artifacts, tourism destinations, cuisine, and agricultural products alongside other African diplomatic missions.
The cultural night followed the Kwibohora 32 reception held at The St. Regis Jakarta on 17 July 2026, where Rwandan heritage, national progress, and bilateral friendship were presented to Indonesian officials, diplomats, and international guests. Ruti’s public performance the following evening extended that celebration beyond the formal diplomatic setting and into a more interactive cultural space.
A Shared Rhythm of Friendship
Separated by thousands of kilometres, Rwanda and Indonesia are connected by societies that value family, community, oral tradition, respect for elders, and collective celebration.
At Midaz Golf Senayan, those similarities came alive through music and dance. The concert showed that diplomacy does not take place only through official meetings or agreements. It also develops when people listen to unfamiliar melodies, learn the meaning behind another culture’s traditions, and eventually join one another on the dance floor.
Ruti Joël’s performance offered Indonesian audiences more than an introduction to Rwandan music. It became a living expression of Rwanda’s growing cultural presence in Indonesia—and a reminder that some of the strongest international bridges begin with a shared rhythm.
