Marriage and Family

Most Burundians live in self-contained compounds of small round grass huts scattered over the country’s many hills. The rugo, the traditional Tutsi hut, is divided into sections and surrounded by an enclosure and cattle corrals. Social roles are largely determined by ethnicity; the Tutsi are known traditionally as herders, the Hutu as peasant farmers, and the Twa as hunter-gatherers. Family life is central in all groups. Traditionally, the principal goal in life was parenthood.

Eating

The Burundian diet consists mainly of sweet potatoes and beans, supplemented with cassava, maize, peas, millet, and bananas and other fruits when they are in season. Cattle are herded as signs of wealth and status rather than for their value as food. Meat is consumed by most Burundians only about once or twice a month. Fish is eaten more frequently. Beer and milk are important beverages.

Recreation

Pastimes include soccer, poetry recitation, story-telling, and mancala, a board game common throughout Africa.

Source: Encarta Interactive World Atlas

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