Germany had a United Nations Mission to protect Burundi. This decision came from the United Nations League of Nations based in Berne, Switzerland, which moved to Geneva still in Switzerland. Berne is the capital of Switzerland and is located in the German speaking part of Switzerland. Geneva is the international city of Switzerland in the French speaking part. Belgium had a mandate on Burundi from the United Nations. At that time the United Nations headquarters were in San Francisco in the United States of America. What did Germany and Belgium leave as a heritage to Burundi?
There is no doubt, Germany built the capital city of Burundi called at that time Usumbura. Now, Usumbura has changed into Bujumbura. The city of Usumbura was built in 1898. The first one to be there was David Livingstone a barrister and solicitor. It is by the shores of Lake Tanganyika where the town of Usumbura was that David Livingstone and Stanley two famous explorers met. Stanley was a journalist working for the National Geographic Society, who came to rescue David Livingstone from Malaria.
This last disease is due to a mosquitoes bite. The type of mosquito that has the venomous disease can pinch really hard. It has fur on it and is very dark compared to other mosquitoes. As soon as the mosquito bites there is a pimple which pops up and becomes red. It is advised not to scratch otherwise it becomes a wound that looks like an injury.
These mosquitoes are attracted by water that is stagnant in the banana trees or down on the floor. It is better to clean after the rain in order to get ride of the water that can be contaminated by staying on the ground. In Africa it often rains because of the evaporation from the river Nile, Upper Volta river and Great Lakes among them Lake Tanganyika and Lake Limpopo that is located in the Southern part of Africa.
In the area of agriculture, Germany opened an observation station in Gitega, which is a pioneer. This reminds us of Oktoberfest, which is an important moment of gathering, where there is food and drinks. The food served there is mainly sausages and beer.
So, the city of Bujumbura is well located because of the landscape design. Before, the administrative city was in Kiganda, province of Muramvya, the capital of the royal family of Burundi. Kiganda is in the central part of Burundi. The highest mountain Heha is there. Mountain climbing has brought many people to Burundi. It is supposed to be a good exercise and especially for builders and Engineers, who need to know how to manage height.
Then Belgium did work in the area of landscape by organizing the habitat of the populations especially in the Imbo region. The region of Imbo is located in the valley along the Lake Tanganyika up to Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the neighboring countries of Burundi on the West side. The Bembe populations leave there and you also find them in Angola and Brazil. Belgium had also a mandate on the Democratic Republic of Congo. The rive Congo can provide the necessary energy for industries like the Beer factory which pays the wages for the public servants.
Thus, Belgium has made Burundi the paradise for government official. One of the signs of this financial health is the constructions that were initiated under Belgium rule. The tobacco, coffee and tea plantations began under the Belgian mandate. The Arabica, best brand of coffee can be found in the valley of Imbo and in Kayanza in the North. The other type is the Robusta from Ngozi in the northern part of Burundi also which borders with Rwanda. The first king of Burundi Ntare Rugamba came from Rwanda through Ngozi.
This shows that Germany and Belgium left an important legacy to Burundi. What comes out of all this is the awareness of malaria disease which is also a form of West Nile virus. Infact, you have to know what is clean or not clean water. The West Nile Virus is a disease which has devastated India and it can be a cause of suicide. To have a good sleep in this condition is necessary to put nets on the windows or a net on top of the bed. This is a major problem because even in Washington District of Columbia and Miami you can find mosquitoes.
