The Banknote
The design of the banknote highlights both international conservation and the country of Burundi. In keeping with the banknote's unusual format, the main motif on the obverse of the banknote is dedicated to African megafauna. The animals depicted include not only the largest land mammals on the planet, but also some species protected by CITES. The reverse focuses on Burundi and shows the State House, the national flag, the national coat of arms, a map of the country with the source of the Nile, as well as dancers and drummers.
Leopard, lion, Cape buffalo, rhinoceros and elephant are also known as the “Big Five”. The term originally comes from big game hunting and refers to the difficulty of hunting and killing a specimen of each of the five species. Trade in hunting trophies or luxury goods made from skins, ivory and horns is an important part of CITES. Today, the name Big Five is used primarily in safari tourism. The giraffe is not one of the Big Five, but it is still one of the most famous representatives of African megafauna. The red-billed oxpecker bird, on the other hand, is one of the smallest inhabitants of Africa, yet it is just as fascinating.
Coffee and tea are the most important agricultural products in Burundi. Coffee accounts for about two-thirds of total exports. The coffee varieties from Burundi are considered specialties and are grown by small-scale farmers.
Due to its location on the African continent, Burundi is also known as the "Heart of Africa". The high plateau in central Burundi provides ideal conditions for growing highland coffee. The background design of the obverse of the banknote shows a hilly mountainous landscape with agricultural use for tea and coffee cultivation.
Seal of the Banque de la République du Burundi
Signature of the 1st Vice-Gouverneur of the Banque de la République du Burundi, Irène Kabura Murihano
Signature of the Gouverneur of the Banque de la République du Burundi, Edouard Normand Bigendako
The denomination of 10 000 Francs is an integral part of the design and is also featured in the background. The full written French version is: “Dix Mille Francs”.
Translation: 50 years of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Translation: The counterfeiter is punished with penal servitude
Click on a hotspot in the banknote image to display information on the respective motif.
The national coat of arms of Burundi features a lion, the national animal, as its central motif.
Seal of the Banque de la République du Burundi
Translation: This is an official commemorative banknote of the Bank of the Republic of Burundi in tribute to Africa's unique biodiversity, which deserves to be protected.
Ubumwe, Ibikorwa, Iterambere
Translation:
Unity, Work, Progress
The outline map of Burundi contains a depiction of the Ruzizi river delta. The river flows into Lake Tanganyika a few kilometres west of Bujumbura.
Burundi's most famous geographical feature is the Ruvyironza River, which rises on Mount Gikizi in Bururi Province. It is the southernmost source river of the Nile and, after its confluence with the Ruvubu near the capital Gitega, continues towards Tanzania. The distance to the Nile estuary at the Mediterranean Sea is around 6 650 km (4 130 mi), which is why most scientists consider the Nile to be the longest river in the world, even longer than the Amazon.
The State House “Ntare Rushatsi” in Burundi's largest city, Bujumbura, was officially opened by President Pierre Nkurunziza on 27th September 2019. It is named after Burundi's first “Mwami” (ruler) Ntare Rushatsi Cambarantama, who, according to tradition, founded the Kingdom of Burundi in 1680. “Ntare” means “lion”. The depiction of the state house on the banknote is based on a photograph taken on the day of the opening ceremony.
Unlike in most other African countries, almost the entire population of Burundi speaks only one indigenous language: Kirundi. It belongs to the Bantu language family and is the national language of Burundi. In addition to Kirundi, French and English are also official languages.
Music and dance are a central part of Burundian culture, with the drum being the most important instrument. The Karyenda drum is a national symbol and is even revered as a sacred object. It used to be played at ceremonies such as coronations and weddings. In 2014, the "Ritual dance of the royal drum" was inscribed on the UNESCO list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. As a tribute to this, Burundian dancers and drummers are featured in the background of the reverse.
The three stars in the background design are from the national flag.
Click on a hotspot in the banknote image to display information on the respective motif.
Viewed under UV light
Under UV light, many additional motifs become visible on both sides of the banknote. For example, the Burundi long-fingered frog (Cardioglossa cyaneospila) appears on the obverse. Found only in the western arm of the East African Rift, this rare species was thought to be extinct since its discovery in 1949. More recent sightings were only reported in 2011. The frog owes its name to the unusually long third finger in male specimens. The reverse of the banknote features a lion, Burundi's national animal, and the national flag in its original colors when viewed under UV light.
