When is National Heroes Day?
National Heroes Day is an official holiday for the public and private sector in Rwanda on February 1st each year.
This holiday is an annual event to pay tribute to people who exemplified and defended the highest values of patriotism and sacrifice for the wellbeing of the country and its citizens.
If February 1st falls on a weekend, the following Monday will be a public holiday, though the official ceremonies for Heroes Day will take place on February 1st.
History of National Heroes Day
Celebrating a day for the national heroes of a country isn't uncommon. What marks out Rwanda's Day is the detail and different levels of heroes. Given the tumultuous and violent recent history of Rwanda maybe it is not surprising that those who have made sacrifices for the good of the nation are honoured in such a way. The national heroes of this Central African country are celebrated in three different categories, known as Imanzi, Imena, and Ingenzi.
The Imanzi is the supreme Hero who demonstrated outstanding achievements characterized by supreme sacrifice, outstanding importance and example.
Belonging to this category is the Unknown Soldier - any soldier who perished during the liberation struggle and those who may in the future shed blood in a battlefield to defend country sovereignty. It also includes Major General Fred Rwigema, who died on the frontline the day after the launch of the country’s armed liberation struggle in October 1990
The Imena category comprises of heroes known for their extraordinary acts for the country marked by sacrifice, high importance and example.
The Imena category includes King Mutara III Rudahigwa Charles Léon Pierre, Michel Rwagasana (special adviser to late King Rudahigwa), and Agathe Uwilingiyimana, the female prime minister who was slain by genocidal government forces within just hours of the start of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The Ingenzi category comprises heroes who are still alive, but who are known for their good ideas or outstanding achievements characterised by sacrifice, great importance and high example.
Unlike the other categories, a list of the Ingenzi heroes is not published.
Sessions, where speakers talk about the Rwandan heroes and how the youth could emulate them, are the main event of the day across all villages and in media.
