The Toxic Ancestors of Burundi: Unpacking the Root Cause of Today's Issues 

BY Juste Picasso Nduwayo

Burundi, a country nestled in the heart of Africa, has been grappling with poverty for decades. It's easy to point fingers at colonization, politicians, climate change, conflicts, corruption, laziness or external factors, but what if the root cause of our problems lies within our own families and cultural traditions? In this article, we'll embark on a journey to uncover the toxic ancestors of Burundi and how they've contributed to our current state of affairs.

Let's start by asking the 5 Whys, a simple yet powerful tool for uncovering the underlying causes of a problem. Why is life becoming harder in Burundi? Because prices have gone up. Why have prices gone up? Because there's a shortage of fuel. Why is there a shortage of fuel? Because the country doesn't have enough foreign currency, which has weakened the Burundian franc (BIF). Why don't we have enough foreign currency? Because we import more than we export. Why do we export less and import more? Here, we encounter a multitude of reasons, including political factors, cultural traditions, and a lack of innovation and creativity.

At the heart of these issues lies a deeper problem: our toxic ancestors. The way we were raised, the cultural values we were taught, and the parenting styles we've adopted have all contributed to our current state of poverty and underdevelopment.

In Burundian culture, parents are often seen as authoritarian figures, with little room for empathy, love, and communication. Children are not encouraged to develop their skills and talents from an early age, and parents often prioritize obedience over creativity and innovation. This has resulted in a society that values conformity over individuality and entrepreneurship.

Furthermore, the high birth rate in Burundi means that many parents have 7-10 children, making it challenging to devote time and resources to each child's cognitive development. This has led to a lack of strong, capable leaders in various sectors, including politics, economics, and social development.

So, why do we have such toxic parents? The answer lies in our history and cultural traditions. Our ancestors were raised in a good environment, with a tropical climate and fertile soil. However, this comfort and security have also led to complacency and a lack of innovation and has affected our today leadership and status quo.

The solution to our problems lies in recognizing the importance of family and parenting in shaping the future of our nation. Parents must invest in home education, following the cognitive development of their children, and encouraging creativity, innovation, career development and entrepreneurship. It's hard to transform broken youth or mature people, so it's essential to start early and lay a strong foundation for future generations. That is how we shall get strong, innovative and honest teachers, doctors, civil servants, employees and leaders in religion, businesses and politics. 

In conclusion, the toxic ancestors of Burundi have played a significant role in shaping our current state of poverty and underdevelopment. By recognizing the importance of family and parenting, we can begin to break the cycle of toxicity and create a brighter future for ourselves and our children.