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Children pelted onto the stage at Davenport’s Lincoln Academy, Thursday, eager to match their dancing feet to the energetic movements of the Vanginanga Troupe of Rwanda.
Dancer Vincent Nsengiyumva’s face radiated joy as he and Jean-Claude Shumbusho, both performing artists, vigorously pounded mallets against the ingoma, or traditional drums, and leapt between beats. Hundreds of young feet imitated the jumps, causing the auditorium floor to quiver for a few seconds.
“I thought it was awesome. I was scared at first but then I was having fun,” Alexis Naguina, a fifth grade student, said
“It felt like I was doing an African spiritual. Me and my friends were dancing,” Detarius Smith, a third grader, added.
The program began with a warm Lincoln welcome and Nsengiyumva and Shumbusho dancing in long blond wigs and clutching spears. Bells, worn on ankle wraps, jingled with each movement. The program featured traditional instruments of the inanga (guitar), amakondera (cow horn), and umuduli (string instrument).
“Today I bring a message of hope to the people,” says Nsengiyumva, who also teaches African drumming and dance.
The Rwandan troupe, all survivors of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, are sharing their native dance, song and instruments with Quad-City audiences through May 3. Those appearances are part of the Quad-City Arts visiting artist series. Their next stop is Ohio and their travels will take them on to Italy, Canada, Africa and around the world.
Claudine Mukamabano danced out onto stage, carrying a baby doll on her back and a basket and rolled up mat in her hands. She knelt and showed how the five baskets fit inside each other as she cared for the “baby.”
All the women in the country make those peace baskets,” Nsengiyumva said. “Women in my country are the ones who bring everyone together. Now we have peace.”

qctimes.com

Flags around the Valley are flying at half staff in honor of officers killed in the line of duty. Thursday is designated as Peace Officers Memorial Day.
In the past year Nevada has seen two more of its law enforcement officers killed. Both Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribal police officer Adam Menuez and NHP Trooper Kara Kelly-Borgognone were killed in traffic accidents while responding to calls.
A total of 103 peace officer have been killed in the line of duty in the Silver State.

kvbc.com