HUTU & TUTSI

Rwanda What’s going on?

Background information  When German explorers, as well as the Belgian and French missionaries first came to Rwanda they observed in the royal court a ruling class, the Tutsis, and a subservient class, the Hutus. This class structure was maintained by the European colonist.  supporting as they did the Tutsi minority governing class.

Racial Classification  Belgians colonists divided Rwanda’s unified population into two distinct groups: Hutu, Tutsi.  Belgians and Germans influenced by racist ideas, thought that the Tutsi were a superior group because they were more “white” looking.

Continue  The size of the nose and the color of the eyes were factors that determined whether a person was classified as Hutu, Tutsi.  The colonists believed that the Tutsi were natural rulers, so they put only Tutsis into positions of authority and discriminated against Hutus.

Continue  The Hutus make up about 85% of Rwanda’s population, but they were denied higher education, land ownership and positions in government.

Independence and Hutu Rule  1959, violence between the Tutsi and Hutu erupted.  Hutu overthrew Tutsi rule, declared an independent republic and elected first Hutu president  Mass killings of Tutsis occurred during the transition to Hutu rule, hinting things to come.

Vocabulary  Genocide = the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group.  Refugee= a person who flees for refuge or safety, esp. to a foreign country, as in time of political upheaval, war, etc.

Continue  United Nations = The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights works to strengthen and coordinate United Nations work for the protection and promotion of all human rights of all persons around the world. The Secretary-General has made human rights the central theme that unifies the Organization’s work. United Nations High Commissioner for Human RightsUnited Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Continue  The Germans and Belgians colonial powers both preferred the Tutsi and rewarded them with positions of power, once Rwanda was granted independence in 1962, battle for control over the government, control over the land and cattle, and control over the social standings began.

Review Questions 1. Which group of people did the Belgians think were a superior group? 2. Why did they think they were a superior group? 3. Which group declared an independent republic in 1959? 4. Explain the Rwandan genocide. 5. Which group was the largest ethnic group represented, Hutu or Tutsi? 6. What determined the classification of each group?