The Rwandan Genocide
Genocide in Rwanda
Genocide does not have one particular source; rather it seems to occur when many social psychological variables pile up and produces a catastrophe. The Rwandan Genocide is no exception to this. Many variables contributed to the horrifying events that took place in Rwanda such as the history and culture, ecological resource scarcity, the role of the elite and powerful, as well as the ordinary people who participated and stood by as killings took place. Rwanda Genocide was a premeditated, systematic and state sponsored genocide with the aim of eliminating those who were ethnically identifiable as Tutsi (Klinghoffer, 1998). Between 500,000 and 800,000 people were killed in a period of 100 days, with around 77 percent of the population registered as Tutsi being murdered (Eltringham, 2004).
People’s identity and view of the world is often shaped by the culture lived in and the history that surrounds that culture. Therefore when examining the variables involved that led to the Rwandan Genocide, it is important to consider the history and culture of Rwanda. Throughout the history of Rwanda, there is a continuous distinction between the Hutu and Tutsi, with shifts in power resulting in the discrimination of one tribe and the favouritism of the other. Under the reign of Tutsi King Rwabugiri (1860-1895), ethnic differences were established when King Rwabugiri implemented a system in which, land was given in return for labor. However, this system only applied to Hutu farmers and exempted Tutsi farmers. During the German colonisation (1899-1916) and later the Belgian trusteeship (1916-1961), the Tutsi were also favored and viewed as superior. The Belgians increased the emphasis on the distinction of ethnic identity by issuing cards bearing the nationality designations of Rwandans. The occupation by both Germany and Belgium contributed to an ethnic jealousy in Rwanda through superior treatment of the Tutsi (O’Halloran, 1995). The general decolonisation in
Genocide does not have one particular source; rather it seems to occur when many social psychological variables pile up and produces a catastrophe. The Rwandan Genocide is no exception to this. Many variables contributed to the horrifying events that took place in Rwanda such as the history and culture, ecological resource scarcity, the role of the elite and powerful, as well as the ordinary people who participated and stood by as killings took place. Rwanda Genocide was a premeditated, systematic and state sponsored genocide with the aim of eliminating those who were ethnically identifiable as Tutsi (Klinghoffer, 1998). Between 500,000 and 800,000 people were killed in a period of 100 days, with around 77 percent of the population registered as Tutsi being murdered (Eltringham, 2004).
People’s identity and view of the world is often shaped by the culture lived in and the history that surrounds that culture. Therefore when examining the variables involved that led to the Rwandan Genocide, it is important to consider the history and culture of Rwanda. Throughout the history of Rwanda, there is a continuous distinction between the Hutu and Tutsi, with shifts in power resulting in the discrimination of one tribe and the favouritism of the other. Under the reign of Tutsi King Rwabugiri (1860-1895), ethnic differences were established when King Rwabugiri implemented a system in which, land was given in return for labor. However, this system only applied to Hutu farmers and exempted Tutsi farmers. During the German colonisation (1899-1916) and later the Belgian trusteeship (1916-1961), the Tutsi were also favored and viewed as superior. The Belgians increased the emphasis on the distinction of ethnic identity by issuing cards bearing the nationality designations of Rwandans. The occupation by both Germany and Belgium contributed to an ethnic jealousy in Rwanda through superior treatment of the Tutsi (O’Halloran, 1995). The general decolonisation in