Our National Symbols
Primary 1 · Social and Religious Studies
Our National Symbols
Lesson 2 of 4
11 min
Let's begin
Keza reaches the school gate a little late.
She hears singing. Every child on the compound is standing very still. The flag is going up the pole.
Keza stops walking and stands still too. Today you will learn why she stopped.
The song of a country is called its national anthem.
Rwanda's anthem is called Rwanda Nziza.
Those two words mean beautiful Rwanda. It is sung in Kinyarwanda, and every school in the country sings it.
Each part of the anthem is called a stanza.
Rwanda Nziza has four stanzas.
At assembly you may sing only the first one. But the whole anthem has four parts.
Hold up four fingers and say it: four stanzas.
Stop walking. Your feet stand still.
Stand up straight and let your hands hang down.
Look at the flag.
Sing the words, or stay quiet and listen.
Do not eat. Do not play. Do not talk.
Wait for the last word before you move again.
Many songs say nice things about our country. They are good songs.
Only one song is the national anthem, and its name is Rwanda Nziza.
At school on Monday morning. At big meetings. On the radio. And far away, when a Rwandan wins a race.
Rwanda Nziza, our national anthem, from the Government of Rwanda
Tip
Feet stop. Mouth sings
The moment the anthem starts, your feet stop where they are.
If you are still walking, still chewing or still chatting, you have forgotten. Stand still and join in.
Do each one, then tap Show answer to check.
What is the name of our national anthem?
Answer: Rwanda Nziza. It means beautiful Rwanda.
How many stanzas does it have?
Answer: four. One finger for each part.
You are running to class and the anthem starts. What do you do?
Answer: stop where you are, stand up straight, then sing or listen quietly.
A friend eats a mandazi while the anthem is sung. Is that right?
Answer: no. We do not eat during the anthem. He should wait until it ends.
Ask a grown-up at home to sing the first part with you.
Answer: sing it together, standing up straight. That is how we show respect.
What you learned today
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