Sophia Nzayisenga

Sophia Nzayisengais A Rwandan women born in 1978, she is a traditional Rwandan singer, she is also known as Queen of Inanga. Journey Sophie Nzayisenga is a distinguished musician, reshaping the landscape of traditional Rwandan music. Revered for her skill with the 'inanga,' a stringed zither, she broke convention as the first professional female master of the instrument. Born in 1978 in Nyanza, Sophie was immersed in a musical lineage, her father Thomas Kirusu being a notable inanga artist. Sophie's musical journey began early; at six, her father began her formal training, and by nine, she was already capturing international audiences, marking a milestone in countries like Bulgaria. Her 1986 composition 'Ikera kurima' aired on Radio Rwanda, cementing her status in the local music scene. Sophie’s groundbreaking work with the Nile Project in 2016 showcased her commitment to using music as a bridge for cultural dialogue. In 2021, she released 'Queen of Inanga: Music from Rwanda,' an album that highlights her dynamic blend of tradition with new-age elements. Collaborations, like the EP 'Abagore Barashoboye' with Andi Otto, reflect her fearless exploration of electronic and alt-dub fused with Rwandan roots. Moreover, her role as an educator at Oakdale Music School in Kigali ensures that the rich inanga tradition continues to inspire future generations. Her accolades, including the 2024 African Music Academy laureate, affirm her ongoing impact on preserving and innovating heritage through the arts. (josplay) Quotes My father was an intelligent and famous musician and he composed a lot of good music. In my father’s footsteps - Sophie Nzayisenga says by Sophie,The new times (March 7, 2010) music is a gift. I do it to relax. In my father’s footsteps - Sophie Nzayisenga says by Sophie,The new times (March 7, 2010) I lost my joy because some of my brothers and sisters passed away during the genocide, I think about how we used sing together at home and my heart hurts and I loose the will to play. In my father’s footsteps - Sophie Nzayisenga says by Sophie,The new times (March 7, 2010) After the genocide my love for playing went away. But little-by-little I started playing again and I still am now. In my father’s footsteps - Sophie Nzayisenga says by Sophie,The new times (March 7, 2010) My family was full of inanga players - my grandfather too was a player. In my father’s footsteps - Sophie Nzayisenga says by Sophie,The new times (March 7, 2010) When I was about eight, my father started to compose new music for me, which I memorised and played until I was 15, when I started to compose music by myself. In my father’s footsteps - Sophie Nzayisenga says by Sophie,The new times (March 7, 2010) I can’t remember how much music I’ve composed now because there are so many. In my father’s footsteps - Sophie Nzayisenga says by Sophie,The new times (March 7, 2010) Many Rwandan women like music but they don’t take the initiative to play it - maybe they think they won’t be able to do it and only men can play inanga. I think they underestimate themselves. In my father’s footsteps - Sophie Nzayisenga says by Sophie,The new times (March 7, 2010) You can see that women enjoy music because they like .my father was an intelligent and famous musician and he composed alot of good music is gift, dancing and singing and we have some very nice singers, like Cecile Kayirebwa and Florida Uwera and others. In my father’s footsteps - Sophie Nzayisenga says by Sophie,''The new times (March 7, 2010) External links