If you use social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), you’ve likely come across a person known as “Ibere rya Bigogwe” (“The Breast of Bigogwe”), who frequently shares photos and videos of cows in the pasture. He also showcases visitors playing traditional games or drinking milk.
That person is Ngabo Karegeya, a herdsman from Bigogwe, and the founder of the company “Ibere rya Bigogwe.” He is credited with launching tourism in the region, gaining popularity on social media for guiding people to visit cows in the field and promoting the cattle-rearing culture associated with these long-horned animals.
His mother gave birth to him while carrying milk containers to the cows. Ngabo’s story says he grew up among cows, drinking their milk, and formed a lasting bond with them.
Because of the time he spent with cows and his love for them, Ngabo naturally began explaining them to others. When people came to visit, he would teach them about cow culture, including how to milk, care for, and interact with them. Visitors loved it, and their numbers continued to grow.
He began offering cultural explanations about cows, guiding people through the beautiful hills of Bigogwe, and reminding them of the important role cows play in Rwandan culture. Visitors would learn how to milk cows, drink fresh milk, play traditional herding games like jumping competitions, herd cattle, and even take a cow home.
Ngabo decided to take this work seriously and pursue it professionally. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he started using his social media to post content from the pastures. People loved it and many asked him to create a physical location they could visit.
In 2021, Ngabo registered his company, marking the beginning of his professional journey. Bigogwe tourism, especially the cattle-focused kind, grew significantly and became very popular.
Speaking with KURA, Karegeya explained that he started with no capital. Those interested in visiting cows were taken to those owned by his father and relatives. As demand grew, he worked harder, gained more clients, acquired his own pastureland, and built facilities to welcome visitors.
He stated that his motivation wasn’t to get rich, but to put his home region on the map.
He said, “This work has made our home known, which is something I always wanted. Instead of Bigogwe being remembered for its painful past, I wanted to showcase its beauty—and I did.”
As in life, challenges and joys go hand in hand, and no job is without its difficulties. Ngabo welcomes people from all walks of life and often faces issues, including visitors not being accustomed to Bigogwe’s chilly climate.
Ngabo mentioned he has bigger projects in mind, but limited financial resources remain a hurdle—though he is proud of what he has accomplished so far.
This self-made entrepreneur hopes to transform Bigogwe into a top-tier tourist destination, ideally ranking among the top five most-visited places in Rwanda.
He said, “At least in Africa, when people speak of culturally rich tourist spots, Bigogwe should be one of them. I want cows to retain their cultural value. I want us to preserve the dignity of cows forever. Let’s not become like other places that replace cows with dogs.”
Ngabo Karegeya is now a successful entrepreneur, self-sufficient, employing others, and able to afford hard-to-find essentials like special cow salt. Having created his career at a young age, he serves as an example to the youth and encourages them to love and promote their places of origin rather than abandoning them.
He said, “My advice to the youth is to love their homeland. If your area is hot and lacks good pasture like Bigogwe, there’s still something good there. If your area grows sweet potatoes—we need those stories! If you raise chickens, talk about that. If you’re from Kigali, showcase the beauty of the city, and create your own job—it’s possible.”
He added, “If you don’t tell the story of your homeland, others will misrepresent it. Be proud of where you’re from and help develop it. Our country needs us to tell its stories and help build it.”
If you’re Rwandan, you might know the saying: “Utinda mu nka ukamera nkazo”—“If you spend too much time with cows, you become like them.” It’s a phrase often used to imply that herders lack intelligence or behave in a “cow-like” manner.
Ngabo Karegeya explains this well, as someone who has spent much time with cows.
He said, “Spending time with cows doesn’t make you one. Rather, you teach them your character because they adopt the personality of their owner. If your cows kick each other, it’s because you’re like that. If you’re kind, your cows will be too. We teach cows our values—they don’t teach us. If you feed them, they give you milk. If you don’t, they won’t. If you teach them cruelty, they become cruel.”
Karegeya is one of the young Rwandans proud of his achievements and satisfied with the path he has taken. As he says, he is determined to continue developing and uplifting his country.
