Wiki Loves Folklore 2025 :
Wiki Loves Folklore (WLF) in Rwanda is an annual international media competition hosted on Wikimedia Commons. Launched globally in 2019 and adapted locally, this initiative invites Rwandans to document and share their rich folk culture—spanning traditional dances like Intore, music such as Ingoma, storytelling traditions, proverbs (Imigani), and vibrant ceremonies like Kwita Izina (gorilla naming)—through photographs, videos, and audio recordings. Running from February 1 to March 31 each year, the contest encourages participants to upload their contributions under free licenses, making Rwanda’s intangible heritage freely available for use on Wikipedia and other platforms.
Wiki Loves Folklore aligns with our mission to preserve and promote Rwandan culture while contributing to the global Wikimedia Movement. The competition highlights local traditions such as the craftsmanship of Imigongo (cow dung art), the oral histories of Abacurabwenge (storytellers), and communal practices like Umuganda, reflecting Rwanda’s unique blend of heritage and resilience. By focusing on these elements, Wikimedia Rwanda aims to bridge local knowledge with a global audience, fostering cultural pride and understanding.
In Rwanda, Wiki Loves Folklore serves several key purposes:
- Cultural Preservation: It safeguards Rwanda’s intangible heritage—like songs, folktales, and rituals—that might otherwise fade in a rapidly modernizing society, resonating with UNESCO’s efforts to protect such traditions.
- Community Empowerment: It engages Rwandans, including youth and rural communities, in documenting their own culture, strengthening local ownership of their narratives.
- Knowledge Equity: It enriches Wikimedia platforms with Kinyarwanda-language content and underrepresented perspectives, addressing gaps in global knowledge about Rwanda.
We enhance the contest with local workshops and outreach, teaching participants how to capture and share high-quality media. Winners are celebrated with prizes (e.g., gift vouchers), and contributions often inspire related efforts, such as the Feminism and Folklore writing contest, which focuses on women’s roles in Rwandan folklore—like the legacy of Queen Mothers or female drummers—tackling gender gaps on Wikipedia.
Since its adoption in Rwanda, Wiki Loves Folklore has grown into a powerful tool for cultural documentation, with Wikimedia Rwanda leading the charge to ensure that the nation’s traditions, from the hills of Kigali to the shores of Lake Kivu, are preserved and shared globally. For 2025, the contest continues to invite all Rwandans to contribute, amplifying their voices in the worldwide tapestry of folklore
Previous Winning images :
