Rwanda During The Colonial Era - 1502 Words

Prior to colonial era, Rwanda had larger population of Hutus compared to Tutsis and Twa. Rwanda as a country was divided into three ethnic groups i.e. Hutu (approximately about 85%), Tutsi (14%) and Twa (1%) (United Nations). Although, Tutsis were the minorities, they belonged to the higher strata compared to the other ethnic groups; Tutsis were privileged and had power and control over the Hutus and Twas. â€Å"Hutus were formerly bound to their Tutsi patrons via client ship† (Sinema, 2012). When Rwanda was colonized by Germany followed by Belgium, they favored Tutsis as they represented the upper class prior to the colonization. These created a social system like feudal system where there was a power difference between the Hutus and the Tutsis. Tutsis were considered as lord and the Hutus on the other hand, were considered as peasants. As a consequence, this created an ethic tension between the Hutus and the Tutsis and created a system more like apartheid. Nonetheless, they managed to co exist in Rwanda until they were decolonized. Although there is no social distinction between the Hutus and the Tutsis, the conflict between these tribes increased tremendously after the independence from Belgian that led to mass murder and ethnic cleansing of the Tutsi by the Hutu. The distinction between the Hutu and Tutsi was not just the ethnic roots but was also the socio economic factor. The movie Hotel Rwanda (2004) also depicted that there was no social distinctions between the HutusShow MoreRelatedChristianity and Genocide in Rwanda800 Words   |  4 Pages Christianity and Genocide in Rwanda by Timothy Longman discusses the roles of the churches in Rwanda and how their influence might have been able to alter the outcome of the genocide. He discusses the rise of Juvenal Habyarimana in politics with his Catholic background, church and state relations, and obedience to political authority. His slogan â€Å"Peace, Unity, and Development† were his political plans for Rwanda. On April 6, 1994, president Juvenal Habyarimana’s plane was shot down marking the beginningRead MoreThe Republic of Rwanda Essay1438 Words   |  6 PagesThe Republic of Rwanda As the universe progresses so do different societies and civilizations. From the beginning of mankind there have been many positive and negative changes. We have seen uproar of conflict within nations and boundaries. This change has been seen evident in countries other than just the United States, from coast to coast, continent to continent, war and struggle is noticeable. Progress is evident in countries from their period of colonization to theirRead MoreThe Genocide Of The Rwandan Genocide1307 Words   |  6 PagesAlthough this is a valid argument, the roots of the conflict are more complex stretching back to the era of colonialism. 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Around 85 percent of its population is Hutu and the rest is Tutsi with a small number of Twa, a Pygmy group who were the original inhabitants of Rwanda. Before the colonial era Tutsis generally occupied the higher strata and Hutus occupied the lowerRead MoreAfrican Nationalism in Frederick Coopers Africa Since 1940: The Past of the Present729 Words   |  3 PagesAfrican nationalism: Frederick Coopers Africa since 1940: The past of the present During the colonial era, the major European powers justified the colonization of the African nations based upon the claim that they were carrying the white mans burden, and bringing the so-called Dark Continent into a state of civilization. According to Frederick Coopers book Africa since 1940: The past of the present, rather than nation-building, colonization destroyed the institutions of tribal cohesion