Poet Maniraguha Carine, popularly known as Carine Poet, revealed that the inspiration behind her poem “Ndabyanze” came from the strength and resilience of her mother, who single-handedly raised her and her four siblings, embodying the power of two parents in one.
The poem “Ndabyanze” is the first release from her upcoming debut poetry album “Rangurura”, which will feature around 10 to 12 poems. The album is expected to be launched at the end of 2025.
In an interview with Imvaho Nshya, Carine Poet explained that the poem was born from the misconceptions and prejudices that still exist toward women and girls in society. “The idea came from my mother’s strength,” she said. “I watched how she managed to raise us, all five of her children, ensuring we went to school and grew up well. Through her, I saw the strength of both parents in one woman.”
She added that after realizing her mother’s strength, she reflected on the global challenges faced by women and girls who continue to be underestimated and discriminated against. “The poem also touches on the historical exclusion of women. In some countries, girls are still treated as weak or incapable,” she noted.
In “Ndabyanze”, Carine Poet rejects the idea that girls or women should be limited by stereotypes or societal expectations. The poem is a declaration of refusal to be silenced, undermined, or diminished because of gender.
She wrote the poem in both Kinyarwanda and English, incorporating musical elements to make the message more universal. “I wanted the message to go beyond Rwanda and reach other parts of the world that still perceive women as powerless,” she explained.
Carine Poet released the poem while on a month-long artistic residency titled “I Am the Power”, a women’s empowerment project using poetry to inspire confidence and strength among women. The project is supported by the Institut Français branches in Rwanda and France, in collaboration with Théâtre Joliette (Marseille) and Théâtre de 3bis f (Aix-en-Provence).
Through “Ndabyanze”, Carine Poet hopes listeners and readers will understand that women and girls are capable individuals. She calls on women to reject narratives of weakness and instead embrace their power and potential.
