Her journey from the streets of Europe to the heart of Rwanda's cultural stage is a story of passion, persistence, and the transformative power of dance.
Hilde was born in New York but grew up in Belgium, where she moved frequently with her family due to her parents' work. Early exposure to different environments shaped her adaptability and curiosity about cultures beyond her own.
From a young age, she found herself drawn to cultural dances rather than classical Western forms like ballet or jazz. Hip-hop, flamenco, and Egyptian dance were her first loves, each reflecting a unique cultural rhythm that fascinated her.
In a recent exclusive interview with IGIHE, Hilde revealed that after earning a degree in mathematics and physics, she briefly taught at a school in Belgium. However, the classroom could not contain her creative spirit.
In 2004, she moved to England to pursue dance and visual arts at the University of Brighton. Her formal dance journey had begun, but it was not until her first visit to Rwanda in 2006, when she came for a friend's wedding, that she discovered her true calling.
'I had never been to sub-Saharan Africa, so for me it was mind-blowing,' Hilde recalls. 'Everything felt different. Seeing women walking with baskets on their heads was so inspiring. The beauty, the colours, the culture, it all captivated me.'
At the Ubumuntu Festival, she watched Inganzo Ngari, a troupe formed in 2006 to promote Rwandan dance, music, and culture, perform for the opening night. The female dancers in their flowing umushanana left her breathless.
'They were flowing like water, and I felt goosebumps all over,' she says. 'I thought, this is magical. I want to learn this dance.'
Hilde returned to Europe, hoping to find a teacher who could guide her in Rwandan dance, whether in England or elsewhere in Europe. She soon realised that there was no substitute for learning the art in its homeland.
Over several years, she made repeated trips to Rwanda, studying intensively for short periods. After a few visits, she decided that the only way to truly master the dance was to move to Rwanda. In 2018, she took the life-changing step of relocating to study traditional Rwandan dance full-time.
The journey was not without challenges. 'Some styles, like Ikinimba, are like fire,' Hilde explains. 'My essence is flowing like water, so these dances demand a different kind of energy. But that's the joy, you are always learning.'
Beyond the physical demands, cultural adjustments tested her patience. Homesickness and unfamiliar customs initially made her question her path. Yet, over seven years, Hilde found a rhythm not just in dance, but in life in Rwanda.
Her dedication extends beyond personal mastery. Hilde's seven-year-old son shares her passion for traditional dance, already beginning lessons with aspirations of performing alongside his mother.
'It would be my dream to share the stage with him,' she says. Hilde also hopes to inspire other foreigners to experience Rwandan culture, whether through intensive workshops, retreats, or collaborative performances with local artists.
Today, Hilde Cannoodt is more than a Westerner dancing with Inganzo Ngari. She has become a bridge between cultures, a living testament to the idea that art can transcend borders. Through her dedication, she shows that when passion meets culture, it can flow as effortlessly as water, resilient, adaptable, and profoundly moving.
Curious to see her in action? Watch the full interview and experience Hilde Cannoodt's mesmerising Rwandan dance moves below.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
