The Karyenda was the main traditional symbol of Burundi and its
mwami (kings). It had semidivine status. The mwami was said to
interpret the messages of the beatings of the Karyenda and
interpret them into rules for the kingdom. When Burundi gained
independence from Belgium in 1962, the Karyenda was the symbol
for the national flag (now replaced once the republic was
established). Traditionally the most important folk songs and
dances were performed to extol the virtues of the kingship.
Unfortunately, since the fall of the monarchy in 1966 (and
particularly after a massacre of Hutus in 1972), such cultural
expressions have waned. An big festival was the annual sorghum
festival (umuganuro), which was a huge display of pomp,
festivities, and dances for the royal court. The second most
important drum was the rukinzo. It accompanied the mwami
wherever he went. As sacred objects, the drums were much more
than simple musical instruments. They were used for rituals such
as the umuganuro, or for special circumstances