Ethnic Differences Between Tutsi And Twa Essay - 1266 Words

Analysis Before the genocide, Rwanda demonstrated three major ethnic categories. Hutu constituted the majority of the population, accounting for some 85% of all native Rwandans. Tutsi and Twa, comprising approximately 14% and 1% of the population respectively, shared Rwanda with the Hutu majority. Between Hutu and Tutsi, there were no major differences in language, religion, or clanship. Traditionally, these ethnic distinctions related to occupation rather than traditional racial categories: The Hutu were generally identified as agriculturalists whereas the Tutsi were usually recognized as herdsmen. Prior to European colonialism and the subsequent issuing of racial identity cards during the 1930s, these identities were flexible – Hutu could acquire livestock and Tutsi could practice agriculture. In the early 1900s, Dutch colonialists reorganized Rwandan society on the basis of Tutsi racial superiority. Hutu and Twa were recognized as historically indigenous populations wh ereas the Tutsi were believed to have migrated from either Ethiopia or the Middle East. Colonialists exaggerated the physical differences between Hutu and Tutsi, often mistakenly incorporating the pigmy Twa into these comparisons. In actuality, these constructed racial classifications were inconsistent and arbitrary. Unable to distinguish consistently between native Hutu and Tutsi, Dutch administrators eventually introduced means-tested systems of ethnic recognition, by classifying any personShow MoreRelatedLife On Earth Is Extremely Diverse Consisting Of Thousands1354 Words   |  6 PagesLife on Earth is extremely diverse consisting of thousands of distinct ethnic groups around the world (CIA World Fact Book). Peace or violence, communion or war, these are the two options of divergent groups living amongst each other. In Rwanda, the ethnic tribes have lived through both scenarios of harmonious unity and brutal division. Before colonialism, ethnic tribes inhabiting Rwanda, the Tutsi, Twa,and Hutu, coexisted and assigned jobs to each ethnicity in order to survive and thrive in a peacefulRead MoreRwanda During The Colonial Era1502 Words   |  7 Pagescolonial 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 colonizedRead MoreChristianity and Genocide in Rwanda800 Words   |  4 Pagesbeginning of the Rwandan genocide. His death was a pretext for government and military officials to begin their launch against opponents of their regime. The genocide lasted for 100 days and resulted in over a million deaths. Du ring the genocide the Tutsi minority was targeted by Hutu extremists and ordinary Hutu citizens. Within the large number of perpetrators witnesses proclaim that church leaders and church members actively participated in murder and other genocidal activities during the genocideRead MoreMovie Analysis : Hotel Rwanda1519 Words   |  7 Pagesdeeply rooted and complex factors at the center of the violence, leading to popular opinion of the Hutu population as barbaric and uncivilized and the Tutsi as innocent liberators. The film is historically accurate with respect to its representation of the physical similarities between both populations, as well as its depiction of the Hutu and Tutsi living in harmony prior to the assassination of the Rwandan president. Despite these accuracies, Hotel Rwanda fails to capture the true matrix of economicRead MoreRwanda And Belgium : Rwanda977 Words   |  4 PagesGermany and Belgium, Rwanda was divided into two prominent groups. The elite Tutsi, and the Hutu, who were peasant farmers. Due to competition, greed, and envy every European Nation wanted to divide and conquer Africa for themselves. Germany and Belgium did not take into consideration the different tribes when they agreed to divide Rwanda up for natural resources and profit. The greed of Belgium and long standing rivalry between two tribes steered a once prosperous Kingdom into turmoil. The colonizationRead MoreHutu and Reed Burundi Essay806 Words   |  4 Pagesplagued with war, conquest, and detrimental ethnic conflicts. It has a moderate tropical climate, with two wet seasons and two dry seasons, yet it is lacking in industrial and political force to overcome its deficiencies. Though the citizens face extreme poverty, a tainted past, and a recently ended civil war, they remain optimistic for their future. Present day Burundi is a country that has been occupied by Twa, Tutsi, and Hutu for the last 500 years. The Twa are believed to be indigenous to the landRead MoreThe Genocide Of The Rwandan Genocide1307 Words   |  6 Pagesdecades. Typically, ethnic and cultural differences between segments of Rwanda’s diverse population, namely the Hutu and the Tutsi, is the reason given to explain the genocide. Although this is a valid argument, the roots of the conflict are more complex stretching back to the era of colonialism. The impact of colonialism on Rwandan politics and society set the foundations for revolution in 1959 and, ultimately, genocide in 1994. The first known inhabitants of Rwanda were the Twa that were eventuallyRead MoreThe Rwandan Genocide of 19941183 Words   |  5 Pagesminorities, Tutsi (15%) and Twa (1%). (Hoex, 2010) The perpetrators of the genocide were the Hutu majority and the victims were the Tutsi. In order to explain this atrocity you may use the cultural, institutional and the constructive approach. The cultural approach means that the conflict took place because of something that is given at birth that separates the actors and the victims. Institutional, on the other hand means that the government has institutionalized the differences between the twoRead MoreHistory Of Rwanda And The Genocide1579 Words   |  7 PagesHutu and the Tutsi were originally one community who shared some value culture and even religion until the colonialist announced their arrival. Rwanda has experienced a disturbing and prolonged cycle of violent conflict since 1959. The conflict which has been characteristically politic al and socio-economic in nature has played out mainly on the basis of ethnicity and regionalism. It was first German and Belgium colonialism that created and nurtured the country’s ethnic rivalry between the majorityRead MoreThe Genocide Of The Rwandan Genocide1458 Words   |  6 Pagesimaginable. The story of the Rwandan Genocide is one of a great divide between the Hutu and Tutsi people. However, there was no real reason for this division to come to fruition. They didn’t have religious disagreements, as in the Armenian Genocide, nor were they born into an environment with extreme ethnic tensions. European colonialism in the Rwandan region ultimately created the â€Å"ethnic† divide between the Hutu and and Tutsi groups that eventually lead the the horrible atrocities of the Rwandan