Lazar Rurerekana Bio

Lazar Rurerekana was born in 1953 in Burundi, a country in East-Central Africa. He completed two years of secondary school at the Ecole Normale de Rusengo before following his interest in art.

He was first apprenticed by Antoine Manirambona of Giheta before he began formal professional training under Italian volunteers at the Centre Artisanal de Gitega (Artisan Center of Gitega). He spent seven years at the center and, during this period, several times won first place for his art at exhibitions organized by the German Embassy in Burundi. 1978 was one of his best years as he won several prizes that year.

Finally, he decided to open his own shop with an area to sell his own work. Lazar has participated numerous times in national and international exhibitions organized by the Burundi Ministry of Art. His art portrays everyday life in Burundi, often presenting women carrying children on their backs, a symbol of fertility and life through reproduction. He presents men as dancers or drummers, activities that showcase bravery, creativity, and culture in his native Burundi.

This is an example of a boy holding two of Lazar's carvings. The one on the left is 27inches high and the one on the right is 16¼ high . Items depicted are RBYC06190710 (LT) and RBYC06190709 (RT)

These are representative of the back and side views of all of Lazar's carvings.

BACK to Products. See Lazar's artworks. See Lazar's exhibit.