Cultural dancers under pressure : “Banned from performing for other parties, underpaid by the CNDD-FDD”

SOS Médias Burundi

Makamba, May 21, 2025 –
As the legislative and district elections of June 5, 2025, approach, traditional dance groups in southern Burundi are denouncing restrictions imposed by the CNDD-FDD. Banned from performing for other political parties, these artists accuse the ruling party of exploiting them while paying them miserably.

Cultural dance groups, particularly those specializing in Agasimbo heritage dances from Buragane, are facing intense pressure in Makamba province (southern Burundi). In the midst of the election period, these artists claim to be forced to refuse performances offered by opposition parties, under threat of political reprisals.

According to several reports, a group of acrobatic dancers based in Kayoba, Makamba district, was recently prevented from participating in a ceremony organized by the opposition CDP party during its campaign launch in Burunga. The reason? A directive from local CNDD-FDD officials prohibiting these artists from collaborating with other political parties until the end of the electoral process.

However, the compensation offered by the ruling party is far from satisfying the artists. “The CNDD-FDD pays us barely 40,000 francs for a full day, or less than 3,000 per person. It’s ridiculous,” laments one of the group members. Conversely, some opposition parties reportedly offer up to 200,000 Burundi francs for an equivalent performance.

The majority of these dancers live in precarious conditions. They work as menial jobs as guards, farm laborers, or brick makers to support themselves. Furthermore, they are responsible for their own musical instruments, costumes, and accessories, in a context where prices continue to rise.

These artists denounce the political exploitation of their art and a total lack of recognition for their contribution to promoting Burundi’s cultural heritage. “We are used as a folkloric backdrop without respect,” says one of them, visibly bitter.

Despite these complaints, local authorities have not responded, and the groups continue to face silent pressure to dance solely in the service of the ruling party – a reality that illustrates, once again, the politicization of cultural traditions in electoral Burundi.

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A group of dancers leads a gathering of CNDD-FDD activists, on the sidelines of the campaign for the June 2025 legislative and district elections. DR