Burundi
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| File:?map.PNG Map | |
| Motto | |
| National Anthem | |
| Cities | |
| Capital | Usumbura |
| Coordinates | latitude: 3°21'41"S longitude: 29°20'52"E |
| Other Cities | |
| Government | constitutional monarchy |
| Head of State | Mwami Charles |
| Head of Government | |
| Demonym | Burundians |
| Independence | July 1, 1985 |
| Area | 27,834 km² 10,747 mi² |
| Population | ~10,000,000 (2015) |
| Ethnicities - Citizens | Hutu 85% Tutsi 14% Twa 1% |
| Languages | |
| Official | Kirundi |
| Other | Swahili |
| Religions | |
| Official | Roman Catholicism (92%) |
| Others | Native (8%) |
| Currency | 1 Burundian pound (B£) = 20 shillings (d) = 240 pence (p) |
| Time zone | UTC +2 DST is not observed. |
| ISO Code | UBU |
| International Vehicle Identification Code | UBU |
| Telephone Code | 566 |
| Organizations | League of Nations East Africa Treaty Organization |
| Sports | |
| Official | |
| Other | |
History
- Text in bold print is PoD.
- The origin of the Kingdom of Burundi is lost in legend. The state known as Burundi emerges into history in the 16th century, occupying the foothills on the eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, when the Chinese, having established themselves in East Africa two centuries earlier, set up trading posts. Their control of the country, so far from their stronghold on the Swahili Coast, was loose and, in the following centuries, under the leadership of the Tutsi people, the kingdom expanded, annexing smaller neighbors and competing with Rwanda. Its greatest growth occurred under Ntare IV Rutaganzwa Rugamba, (1796-1850) and saw the kingdom double in size.
- The kingdom was ruled by a king, the mwami, and an aristocracy, the ganwa, who owned most of the land and exacted a tax from the farmers and herders. These in turn, traded their produce, principally coffee, to the Chinese in exchange for manufactured goods.
- When the Chinese lost their possessions in East Africa, as a result of their defeat in the Great Oriental War in 1952, the nations of East Africa gradually asserted their sovereignty. The Chinese retained their foothold in Burundi for two more decades, allowing the kings to rule nominally.
- Instigated by the Chinese, starting in 1963, the Burundians raid the Kongo for some ten years causing the Kongo to seek assistance form the Confederation of Soviet Danubian States in 1973.
- In 1984 a border treaty was signed by Kongo and CEA, but it was too late. The Burundians revolted against the Chinese. There was much bloodshed as the people began to slaughter the Chinese and their sympathizers, many of whom fled eastward into the recently independent Tanganyika.
- By this time Mwami Mwambutsu IV (1915-5/1/66) had abdicated and been succeeded by his son Ntare V, who asked for and received help from Tanganyika to quell the rioting. He asserted the traditional hereditary monarchy, but died in a motor vehicle accident in 1972, never having married.
- He was succeeded by his nephew Charles who was, at the time, a minor. His mother Rosa, the sister of Ntare V served as regent for two years until Charles attained his majority in 1974. In 1986 he promulgated a constitution which established a democratic hereditary monarchy for the kingdom. He is currently the mwami of Burundi.
Timeline
- 1952 - End of Great Oriental War
- 1963 - Raids on Kongo begin
- 1966 - Mwambutsu IV abdicates on May 1st
- 1972 - Ntare V dies on April 2nd
- 1972-4 - Regency under Ntare V's sister Rosa
- 1973 - The Confederation of Soviet Danubian States assists Kongo
- 1974 - Charles attains majority on July 17th
- 1984 - Border Treaty signed between Kongo and CEA
- 1985 - Independence is declared on July 1st
- 1986 - Constitution is promulgated on July 1st
List of Mwamis
- Ntare I Rushatsi Cambarantama: c.1510–c.1520
- Mwezi I Baridamunka: c.1520–c.1550
- Mutaga I Mutabazi: c.1550–c.1570
- Mwambutsa I Nkomati: c.1570–c.1590
- Ntare II Kibogora: c.1590–c.1630
- Mwezi II Nyaburunga: c.1630–c.1660
- Mutaga II Senyamwiza Mutamo: c.1660–c.1640
- Mwambutsa II Nyarushamba: c.1640–c.1680
- Ntare III Rushatsi, c.1680–c.1709
- Mwezi III Ndagushimiye, c.1709–c.1739
- Mutaga III Senyamwiza Mutamo, c.1739–c.1767
- Mwambutsa III Serushambo Butama, c.1767–c.1796 (also known as Mwambutsa III Mbariza)
- Ntare IV Rutaganzwa Rugamba, c.1796–c.1850
- Mwezi IV Gisabo, c.1850–21 August 1908
- Mutaga IV Mbikije, 1908–30 November 1915
- Mwambutsa IV Bangiriceng, 16 December 1915–8 July 1966
- Ntare V Ndizeye, 1 September–28 November 1966
Toponomy
Government
Constitution
Administrative Divisions
- Burundi is a unitary state divided into fifteen provinces.
- The name of the provincial capital is the same as that of the province.
| Province (postal code) |
Communes | Area | Population | Area Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bubanza (BB) | Bubanza Gihanga Musigati Mpanda Rugazi |
1,089 km² 420 mi² |
~250,000 | 22- | |
| Bururi (BR) | Bururi Matana Mugamba Rutovu Songa Vyansda) |
2,456 km² 948 mi² |
~480,000 | 27- | |
| Cankuzo (CN) | Cankuzo Cendajuru Gisagara Kigamba Mishiha |
1,965 km² 759 mi² |
~190,000 | 26- | |
| Cibitoke (CT) | Buganda Bukinanyana Mabayi Mugina Murwi Rugombo |
1,636 km² 631 mi² |
~400,000 | 28- | |
| Gitega (GT) | Bugendana Bukirasazi Buraza Giheta Gishubi Gitega Itaba Makebuko Mutaho Nyanrusange Ryansoro |
1,979 km² 764 mi² |
~650,000 | 48- | |
| Karuzi (KR) | Bugenyuzi Buhiga Gihogazi Gitaramuka Mutumba Nyabikere Shombo |
1,467 km² 563 mi² |
~390,000 | 57- | |
| Kayanza (KY) | Butaganzwa Gahombo Gatara Kabarore Kayanza Matongo Muhanga Muruta Rango |
1,233 km² 476 mi² |
~500,000 | 59- | |
| Kirundo (KN) | Bugabira BusonivBwambarangwe Gitobe Kirundo Ntega Vumbi |
1,703 km² 658 mi² |
~570,000 | 56- | |
| Makamba (MK) | Kayogoro Kibago Mabanda Makamba Nyanza-Lac Vugizo |
~1,960 km² ~757 mi² |
~280,000 | 65- | |
| Muramvya (MR) | Bukeye Kiganda Mbuye Muramvya Rutegama |
36,000 km² 14,000 mi² |
~810,000 | 67- | |
| Muyinga (MY) | Buhinyuza Butihinda Gashoho Gasorwe Giteranyi Muyinga Mwakiro |
1,836 km² 709 mi² |
~570,000 | 69- | |
| Ngozi (NG) | Buziga Gashikanwa Kiremba Marangara Mwumba Ngozi Nyamurenza Ruhororo Tangara |
1,474 km² 569 mi² |
~620,000 | 64- | |
| Rutana (RT) | Bukemba Giharo Gitanga Mpinga-Kavoye Musongati Rutana |
1,959 km² 757 mi² |
~280,000 | 78- | |
| Ruyigi (RY) | Butaganzwa Butezi Bweru Gisuru Kinyinya Nyabitsinda Ruyigi |
2,339 km² 903 mi² |
~350,000 | 79- | |
| Usumbura (BJ) | Usumbura Isale Kabezi Kanyosha Mubimbi Mugongomanga Mukike Mutambu Mutimbuzi Nyabiraba |
87/1319 km² 33/509 mi² |
~450,000/500,000 | 25- |
Thus, the total area of the kingdom is 27,834 km² (10,747 mi²), slightly larger than the American state of Massachusetts.
Physical Description
Geography
Climate
Economy
Culture
Public Holidays
| Date | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| †January 1 | Mary the Mother of God | |
| 1st Monday in February | Victory Day | Commemorates the defeat of China in the Great Oriental War |
| Good Friday | ||
| Easter Monday | ||
| †May 1 | St. Joseph the Worker | International Workers' Day |
| 1st Monday in June | Flag Day | |
| †July 1 | Independence Day | |
| †July 17 | Birthday of the Mwami | |
| 1st Monday of August | Election Day | in election years |
| 1st Sunday of September | Mothers' Day | |
| 1st Monday in October | Fathers' Day | Official date |
| 2nd Monday November | Day of Remembrance | Commemorates those who fell in the struggle for independence |
| December 25 | Christmas Day | |
| †December 26 | Day after Christmas |
† If the holiday falls on Sunday, it is transferred to Monday.
Religion
Catholic Dioceses
- The Province of Usumbura comprises
- the (arch)dioceses of Usumbura, Muramvya, Bubanza, Cibitoke and Bururi
- the civil provinces of Usumbura, Muramvya, Bubanza, Cibitoke and Bururi
- The Archdiocese of Usumbura comprises the civil provinces of Usumbura and Muramvya.
| Cathedral | Established as (Date) | Separated from | Promoted (Date) | Elevated (Date) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regina Mundi | Apostolic Vicariate of Usumbura (6/11/1959) | Apostolic Vicariates of Kitega and Ngozi | Diocese of Usumbura (11/10/1959) | Archdiocese of Usumbura (11/25/2006) by Pope John XXIIJ |
- The Diocese of Bubanza comprises the civil provinces of Bubanza and Cibitoke.
| Cathedral | Established as (Date) | Separated from |
|---|---|---|
| Christ the King | Diocese of Bubanza (6/7/1980) | Apostolic Vicariates of Kitega and Ngozi |
- The Diocese of Bururi comprises the civil province of Bururi.
| Cathedral | Established as (Date) | Separated from |
|---|---|---|
| Christ the King | Diocese of Bururi (6/6/1961) | Archdiocese of Gitega |
- The Province of Gitega comprises
- the (arch)dioceses of Gitega, Muyinga, Ngozi, Rutana, and Ruyigi
- the civil provinces of Gitega, Karuzi, Muyinga, Kirundo, Ngozi, Kayanza, Rutana, Makamba, Ruyigi and Cankuzo.
- The Archdiocese of Gitega comprises the civil provinces of Gitega and Karuzi.
| Cathedral | Established as (Date) | Separated from | Renamed (Date) | Divided into (Date) | Renamed (Date) | Elevated (Date) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christ the King | Apostolic Vicariate of Kivu (12/12/1912) | Apostolic Vicariates of Unyanyeme and Southern Victoria Nyanza | Apostolic Vicariate of Urundi and Kivu (1921) | Apostolic Vicariates of Urundi and Rwanda (4/25/1922) | Apostolic Vicariate of Kitega (7/14/1949) | Archdiocese of Gitega (11/10/1959) |
- The Diocese of Muyinga comprises the civil provinces of Muyinga and Kirundo.
| Cathedral | Established as (Date) | Separated from |
|---|---|---|
| Our Lady of Fatima | Diocese of Muyinga (9/5/1968) | Diocese of Ngozi |
- The Diocese of Ngozi comprises the civil provinces of Ngozi and Kayanza
| Cathedral | Established as (Date) | Separated from |
|---|---|---|
| Our Lady of Fatima | Apostolic Vicariate of Ngozi (7/14/1949) | Apostolic Vicariate of Urundi |
- The Diocese of Rutana comprises the civil provinces of Rutana and Makamba.
| Cathedral | Established as (Date) | Separated from |
|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph | Diocese of Rutana | Dioceses of Burui and Ruyigi (1/17/2009) |
- The Diocese of Ruyigi comprises the civil provinces of Ruyigi and Cankuzo.
| Cathedral | Established as (Date) | Separated from |
|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph | Diocese of Ruyigi (1/17/2009) | Archdiocese of Gitega and Diocese of Ngozi |
Holidays of Obligation
| Date | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Mary the Mother of God | |
| Good Friday | ||
| August 15 | the Assumption | Patronal feast of the kingdom |
| November 1 | All Saints' Day | |
| December 25 | Christmas |
Demography
Infrastructure
Roads
- Traffic moves to the left.
- Since its independence in 1985 Burundi has not been able to do much about improving the roads. The major cities have paved roads and there is a paved road from Usumbura to Kitega, but none of the villages have paved roads.
Railroads
- The only rail line in the kingdom is the one the links Usumbura to Kigoma in the Kingdom of Tanganyika.
Boat travel
- Hovercraft ferries carry passengers between the port cities of Usumbura, Rumonge, and Nyanza-Lac. There are international trips from Usumbura to Baraka in the Kongo and Kigoma in the Kingdom of Tanganyika.
- Passengers and cargo are moved mainly on the rivers.
Air travel
- As with rail service airship service is limited. The only aerodrome is located at Usumbura. The only flight is a daily one to Kigoma in the Kingdom of Tanganyika.
