Burundi

About 60 percent of Burundi's people are Christians. The religion was introduced into the country during the European colonial period.

Under the name Burundi (former Ruanda-Urundi), the country gained independence from the Kingdom of Belgium on July 1, 1962.

Army officer Michel Micombero abolished the Burundian monarchy and declared the country a republic with himself as president on November 28, 1966. 

Micombero ruled Burundi as a military dictator for 10 years. His regime finally collapsed in 1976 when he was ousted in a coup d'état by another army officer Jean-Baptiste Bagaza, who installed himself as president. 

The Republic of Burundi is a tiny landlocked nation of 8.5 million people about the size of Belgium. The major part of its territory is covered by mountains, lakes, tropical jungles (about the 30% of the land) and rivers.

Burundi's runner Venuste Niyongabo led his country to earn an Olympian title in the 5000 meters at the 1996 Augusta Olympics. It was Burundi's first ever gold medal, as prior to 1996, Burundi had not competed in the Summer Games due to ethnic conflicts and coups d'etat.

Rural women in Burundi greet each other with an intricate musical ritual called akazehe. A traditional practice, akazehe is a call-and-response chant that typically involves two or more women. The women stand facing each other and begin the chant with a series of high-pitched ululations, known as "ikombe." They then engage in a rhythmic exchange of phrases, often improvising on the spot. The chant is accompanied by hand gestures and sometimes by stomping or clapping.

Coffee contributes more income to the country's economy -- like neighboring Rwanda-- than any other single economic activity.

The Hutu make up the nation's largest ethnic group (80%), followed by Tutsis (14%) and Twa (1%).

Source: EzineArticles.com