intore

{{short description|Traditional Rwandan dance}}

{{Infobox dance

| image = Rwanda IntoreDancers.jpg

| caption = Traditional intore dancers in Rwanda

| name = Intore

| genre = Traditional dance

| instruments = Drums, lulunga

}}

Intore, sometimes called the Dance of Heroes,{{Cite book|last=Fegley|first=Randall|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cielCwAAQBAJ|title=A History of Rwandan Identity and Trauma: The Mythmakers' Victims|date=2016-03-18|publisher=Lexington Books|isbn=978-1-4985-1944-1|language=en}} is a traditional dance performed by men in Rwanda and Burundi; women are not allowed to do so.{{Cite journal|last=Gallimore|first=Rangira Bea|date=2008|title=Militarism, Ethnicity, and Sexual Violence in the Rwandan Genocide|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/238566589|journal=Feminist Africa|via=researchgate.net}} Intore came to Rwanda in the 1830s when the royal Muyange fled fighting in neighbouring Burundi Kingdom and was granted asylum by the King of Rwanda. {{cite web|url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/138723/News/the-story-behind-the-intore-dance|title=The story behind the Intore dance|date=March 11, 2017|language=en|access-date=July 28, 2024}}

In pre-colonial times, intore was a war dance performed by the Tutsi military.{{Cite journal|last=Dahlmanns|first=Erika|date=2015-05-30|title=New Community, Old Tradition: The Intore Warrior as a Symbol of the New Man. Rwanda's Itorero-Policy of Societal Recreation|url=https://journals.uhk.cz/modernafrica/article/view/88|journal=Modern Africa: Politics, History and Society|language=en|volume=3|issue=1|pages=113–151|issn=2570-7558}} Dance numbers were often war-themed, and the performing men carried actual weapons. Present-day intore dancers do not carry actual weapons, but instead use replicas.{{Cite book|last=King|first=David C.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1yLx1zSuh_QC|title=Rwanda|date=2007|publisher=Marshall Cavendish|isbn=978-0-7614-2333-1|language=en}} It is now performed at various celebrations and public ceremonies, including family gatherings and national events.{{Cite news|date=2020-02-23|title=Amani Festival: The DR Congo music festival celebrating life|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51543822|access-date=2021-09-15}} The dance is accompanied by drum ensemble (from seven to nine drums), providing strong, almost hypnotic set of rhythms. Melodic interludes are provided by the lulunga, a harp-like instrument with eight strings.{{Cite book|last=King|first=David C.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1yLx1zSuh_QC|title=Rwanda|date=2007|publisher=Marshall Cavendish|isbn=978-0-7614-2333-1|language=en}}

Potential dancers are chosen based on physical and moral attributes. Before they can perform, the intore dancers receive training, where they learn the steps of the dance as well as moral values.{{Cite web|date=2015-02-11|title=Traditional music in Rwanda|url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/traditional-music-rwanda|access-date=2021-09-15|website=Music In Africa|language=en}}