Burundi’s ministry of culture has expressed displeasure over what it describes as the “misuse of Burundian sacred drum” at the Nyege Nyege music festival which concludes on Momday in neighbouring Uganda.
The ministry posted its message on Twitter alongside widely shared pictures of two male performers dancing suggestively with female revellers near the venerated drum.
They called the image an “exploitation” of Burundi’s royal drumming heritage, which was recognised by Unesco in 2017.
“We will never tolerate anyone who violates Burundian culture and customs… any offender will be prosecuted for penalties provided by law,” the post said.
Ritual drumming in Burundi is performed during national or local feasts and to welcome important visitors, and is said to awaken the spirits of the ancestors and drive out evil spirits, according to Unesco.
Its performers are recruited from across the country, many of whom are the descendants of drum sanctuary guards.
It is not yet clear whether the government of Burundi will sue the drum performers at the Nyege Nyege festival.
It is however not the first time that Burundi authorities have issued similar warnings to drum performers in foreign countries.
It is also not the first time that the Nyege Nyege festival has attracted controversy.
Uganda’s authorities threatened to ban the four-day festival before it opened claiming that it was a “breeding ground for sexual immorality” and “homosexuality”.
Some 12,000, including 5,000 foreign tourists, have attended the event which is being held at the scenic Itanda Falls on the banks of the River Nile, AFP news agency reports.
