Amarira y’umugabo, atemba ajya mu nda”, (tears of a man flow from within) a Rwandan saying goes. This attitude is not only Rwandan, it is mainly African, Nelson Mandela has a whole chapter in Long Walk to Freedom, on male circumcision, to imply toughness and strength. Rwandan culture however encourage men to be soft, versatile, almost a feminine side too, this character is most displayed through Rwandan dance.
But beyond the pompous posture, men are also human, they are also fragile, in fact, science tells us that women are more resilient Than men. If left without sustenance, the man would die first.
Like every other medical condition needs urgent treatment, irrespective if one is a man or a woman, mental health knows no gender!
You see, in Rwanda you are either Ok, or you are “Musazi” (mad). Yet mental health is a spectrum on which we all oscillate, depending on our experience and a myriad of other innate and nurtured hardships we go through in life. However it is frowned upon in our society.
It shouldn’t, especially to the post-conflict, sick, and hopefully healing society that is Rwanda. Sayings must change to “strong men also cry”. That while we build our bodies, we must build our minds.”, a Greek motto, actually, that goes: “Mens Sana, in corpore sano” (a sane mind in a healthy body).
Gatete Nyiringabo Ruhumuliza
