THE ROOTS OF GENOCIDERACE, ETHNICITY, AND POWER IN RWANDAN COLONIAL HISTORY
WHO’S HUTU? WHO’S TUTSI? AND WHY DOES ANYONE CARE?
RACE IN RWANDA
Three major groups
Hutu (now 85% of population)
Tutsi (14%)
Twa (1%)
Hard to tell how the groups originated, because early Rwandan history was preserved orally
Big question: Are Hutu and Tutsi genetically different, or is their difference socially constructed?
RWANDA BEFORE IMPERIALISM
First populated by Twa (traditionally forest people)
Hutu and Tutsi pushed out Twa people
Hutu and Tutsi mixed extensively and developed a shared language (Kinyarwanda) and religion
Hutu were farmers
Tutsi were cattle herders – a much more profitable occupation
Tutsi gradually became a social elite
RWANDAN GOVERNMENT BEFORE IMPERIALISM
Established a monarchy by the 18th century
Most (but not all!) government officials were cattle-owners, or Tutsis
People generally married within their social class (cattle-owners or farmers)
Consequently, physical distinctions between groups emerged
RACE, ETHNICITY, AND IMPERIALISM
EUROPEANS IN RWANDA: A BRIEF TIMELINE
1899 – Germany colonizes Rwanda1919 – Germany loses WWI; Belgium takes over in Rwanda1950s – increasing waves of decolonization around the
world; unrest in Rwanda1959-1961 – Hutu revolution against Tutsis and Belgians1962 – Rwanda becomes independent
THE HAMITIC THEORY
Developed by John Hanning Speke, a British explorer
Published 1863
Described Africans as belonging to two races: Hamitic – more “civilized” and originating in
Ethiopia (and looking more like Caucasians)
Negroid – more “barbaric” and originating in Central Africa
HOW DID THE BELGIANS RULE RWANDA?
Believed in the Hamitic theory
1920s: changes in government Required all government officials to be Tutsi
More power to central authorities
1933-34: issued identity cards listing a person’s race
Taught Tutsi superiority and racial differences
Effects: Limited opportunities for Hutu resentment
Sense of superiority among Tutsi
Reinforced idea that races were different
DIFFERENCES IN CHARACTERISTICS
Hutu Tutsi
THE END OF EMPIRE
1945: Belgium starts preparing for Rwandan independence
Gradual attempts to include Hutu in public life
Hutu start organizing opposition to Belgian rule and Tutsi supremacy
1957: Hutu Manifesto – published by Hutu activists
Describes Tutsi as “foreign invaders”
Calls for majority rule in Rwanda
THE HUTU REVOLUTION
PARMEHUTU (Party of the Hutu Emancipation Movement) founded 1957 – all-Hutu political party
November 1959: violence between Tutsi and Hutu political activists
1960 and 1961: PARMEHUTU wins local elections
Belgium actively encourages Hutu violence against Tutsis
1962: Rwanda achieves independence
Nearly 20,000 Tutsi killed and 160,000 made refugees
THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA
1962-1973: PARMEHUTU rules Rwanda; systematic violence against Tutsis
1973: General Juvenal Habyarimana stages a coup and makes himself president
Passed stronger laws against Tutsis
1990-1993: Rwandan Civil War
Rwandan Patriotic Front – primarily Tutsi exiles
Led to backlash against Tutsis in Rwanda
April 6, 1994: Habyarimana killed in a plane crash
