King’s Palace Museum

The King’s Palace & National Arts Museum in Nyanza is a reconstructed royal dwelling that offers a glimpse into the regal echoes of Rwanda’s past. The palace showcases three main huts: Kambere, representing King Musinga’s hut; the milk house, where royal milk was stored and protected by virgin girls; and the beer house, dedicated to royal beer production for evening gatherings. Additionally, there is a modern house displaying the life of King Mutara III Rudahigwa and Queen Rosalie Gicanda from the 1930s.

The King’s Palace Museum also shows the parade of Inyambo cattle which were an integral part of royal ceremonies. These long-horned cows, descendants of the king’s herd, were adorned with jewelry and trained to move ceremonially to their handlers’ songs. The caretakers of these majestic cattle continue to preserve this tradition today. Nearby, at the Mwima Mausoleum on the neighboring hill of Mwima, visitors can pay their respects to King Mutara III Rudahigwa, Queen Rosalie Gicanda, and the last King of Rwanda, Kigeri V Ndahindurwa.

The King’s Palace Museum provides a comprehensive life experience at the Rwandan Royal Court, offering insights into Rwandan history from the 15th century to the abolition of the monarchical system in the early 1960s.