Burundi bans women drummers

Burundi's government has banned drumming at unofficial events - including cultural ceremonies and weddings - in an attempt to preserve the purity of the age-old practice that is internationally recognised. 

All groups seeking to perform "cultural shows" must now register with the Ministry of Culture and are not allowed to perform outside of official ceremonies without permission. 

A decree signed by President Pierre Nkurunziza also bans women from playing drums, however they can carry out female folk dances accompanying the drums. 

The ban is an attempt to stop the new breed of Burundian women from drumming.

Traditionally, women never played the drum.

It is seen as a symbol of women - the carving represents her body, the belly her vagina and the protruding sticks her breasts. 

Burundi's ritual dance of the royal drums is recognised by the UN cultural agency, UNESCO, as being an "intangible cultural heritage of humanity". 

The rituals are said to awaken the spirits of the ancestors and drive out evil spirits.

SOURCE: BBC
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