Burundi: Mugera Marian Shrine Welcomes Thousands of Pilgrims

On Thursday, thousands of Christians in Burundi celebrated the Feast of the Assumption, one of the main Catholic Church celebrations, at the Mugera Marian Shrine, which is situated about 150 kilometers from Bujumbura in the country’s center. According to Father Venant Mpozako, the shrine’s rector, the location is not just a popular tourist destination but also has cultural importance.

Sacredness of this mountain dates back to pre-evangelization times. Because it was a royal territory with its own gods—who were thought to be sorcerers—it was revered as sacred. Because sorcery is so embedded in the society, sometimes I get laughed at when I advise the faithful to beware of it. Father Mpozako stated, “The Mugera gods were constantly consulted by the ruler.

A few pilgrims arrived to offer prayers for a peaceful electoral process as Burundi prepares for the 2025 elections. Walked nearly 70 kilometers to the shrine on a daily basis, Ferdinand Manirakiza explained his intentions: “I came to pray for my family, other families, and for my country, Burundi, especially as the elections approach, so they may proceed smoothly and without conflict.”