Royal Order of Crown of Rwanda facts for kids
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The Royal Order of the Crown of Rwanda is a very special award from the Kingdom of Rwanda. In the local Kinyarwandan language, it's called Ikamba. It's the second-highest non-religious award given for great achievements in the official Kingdom of Rwanda.
This award has roots in an old Rwandan tradition called Gucana Uruti. King Mutara III of Rwanda first thought of creating this order in 1950. His successor, King Kigeli V, officially started it in 1959.
When someone received this special award, they were treated like a member of the reigning king's own family. A special hero who had gone through the Gucana Uruti tradition was even allowed to wear the king's crown when the king was seated and not using it.
The Order can be given in two ways: as an award that can be passed down through a family, or as a special honor that is just for the person who receives it. People who receive this award become part of the Nobility.
Levels of the Award
There are three main levels in the Order:
- The highest level is the Grand Collar.
- The next level is the Grand Cross.
- The lowest level is Commander.
If someone receives the Grand Collar or Grand Cross, they can be called “Son Excellence” (which means "His/Her Excellency"). If they receive the Commander level, they can be called “L’honorable” (which means "The Honorable").
First Recipients
The very first person to receive a physical example of this award was King Baudouin of the Belgians. King Mutara III gave it to him in 1950. This gift was like a first step before the award was officially created years later.
Famous People Who Received the Award
The last king of Rwanda, King Kigeli V, did not give out this award very often. Some of the most well-known people who received it include:
- Nelson Mandela: He won the Nobel Prize and was a former president of South Africa. He received the Grand Cross level in 1999.
- Patrice Lumumba: He was the first Prime Minister of the independent Democratic Republic of the Congo. His family received the Grand Cross level for him in 1966, after he had passed away.
In 2013, the artist Alfred Freddy Krupa, who started a new art style called New Ink Art, received the Grand Cross level as a hereditary award. This was confirmed again in 2016.
