Race, Ethnicity, and Power in Rwandan Colonial History The Roots of genocide Race, 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 Rwanda 1919 – Germany loses WWI; Belgium takes over in Rwanda 1950s – increasing waves of decolonization around the world; unrest in Rwanda 1959-1961 – Hutu revolution against Tutsis and Belgians 1962 – Rwanda becomes independent

Social Darwinism! 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 Social Darwinism!

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