How Do You Greet Someone in Rwanda?

In Rwanda, greetings are an essential part of everyday interactions and reflect the country's warm and respectful culture. The most common greeting is to say "Muraho", which means "hello" in Kinyarwanda. A typical response is "Muraho neza", which means "hello to you too". If you want to ask someone how they are, you can say "Amakuru?", which means "How are you?" The polite response is "Ni meza", which means "I am well".

It is common to shake hands with both hands or bow slightly when greeting elders or showing respect. Friends often greet each other with a hug or a brief handshake in casual situations. Additionally, in close friendships and family relationships, women may lightly touch each other's cheeks. Maintaining eye contact and shaking hands with both hands is important as a sign of respect in formal or professional settings

Furthermore, Rwandans value taking the time to speak properly rather than rushing into a greeting. Using polite phrases like “Mwiriwe” for good afternoon or “Mwaramutse” for good morning will add warmth to the conversation. In both professional and informal settings, Rwandans value greeting others politely and respectfully. This encourages friendly interactions with those you meet.