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Artist Statement:

Maurice Habimfura is a traditional dancer, choreographer, drummer and founder of Ikirenga Cy’intore, a Rwandan dance troupe based in Portland. Centuries ago, the Intore (meaning ‘chosen ones’) performed at the court of the Rwandan King. Today, Intore dancers continue the tradition by performing at Rwandan weddings, community celebrations and the welcoming of important visitors.

Habimfura first began dancing in 1995 and joined the Rwandan University Traditional Ballet in 2006, touring throughout Europe and Japan. When Habimfura arrived in Portland with his wife in 2014, he founded Ikirenga Cy’intore with support from the Rwandan community. The dance troupe performs and teaches traditional Rwandan songs, dancing and drumming throughout Maine and New England.

According to Maurice: “I have made it my mission to introduce Rwandan culture to the greater Portland community, but I could not have done it alone. This journey is as much theirs as it is mine. Together, we are keeping our culture alive and passing it on to our children.”

A passionate cultural advocate, Habimfura has also organized, produced and performed at “Tales of Bells and Drums,” an annual showcase of performing artists from Portland’s Rwandan, Burundian and Guinean communities. He has been awarded several Traditional Arts Apprenticeships from the Maine Arts Commission to teach traditional dance and music and currently serves on an advisory panel for the New England Foundation for the Arts.

On winning a Maine Artist Fellowship:

I am honored to be the Traditional Arts Fellow and thank you for your support. I have made it my mission to introduce Rwandan culture to the greater Portland community, but I could not have done it alone. This journey is as much theirs as it is mine. Through this dedication, we build bridges of understanding, celebrate diversity, and ensure that the beauty of our traditions will inspire generations to come.”

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