Rwanda

Rwanda is a landlocked country situated in central Africa. it is bordered to the North by Uganda, to the East by Tanzania, to the South by Burundi, and to the West by the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Also known as ’The Land of a Thousand Hills, Rwanda’s landscape is dominated by rolling hills, grasslands, and small farms, with rugged mountains stretching southeast from a chain of volcanoes in the northwest.

 

 

Rwanda has a major ridgeline, which marks the divide between the Congo and Nile river basins. It runs north to south through western Rwanda at an average height of about 9,000 feet. To the west of this ridge, the land drops sharply toward Lake Kivu and the Ruzizi River valley, which form part of the country’s boundary with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and lie within the Great Rift Valley.

On the eastern side, the slopes descend more gently into the central uplands of rolling hills, which gradually give way to the plains, swamps, and lakes along the eastern border.

Although Rwanda lies just two degrees south of the equator, its high altitude gives it a temperate climate.

Near Lake Kivu, at 4,800 feet (1,463 meters), average daily temperatures hover around 73°F (23°C).

The country experiences two rainy seasons, from February to May and from September to December, characterized by frequent heavy showers followed by periods of sunshine. Annual rainfall averages about 80 centimeters (31 inches), with the western and northwestern mountains receiving more rain than the drier eastern savanna regions.

Although Rwanda is landlocked, it is distinguished by its many lakes. The main water bodies are Lake Kivu, Lake Muhazi, Lake Ihema, Lake Bulera, Lake Ruhondo, and Lake Mugesera. Lake Kivu is the largest of many lakes in Rwanda. It is one of the 20 deepest world lakes with a depth of 480 meters.

The Nyabarongo is the longest river, which meets up with the Kagera and drains into Lake Victoria. Situated just south of the equator, the country enjoys a tropical highland climate, with cooler temperatures than typical equatorial regions because of its elevated terrain.

 

 

 

The highest point is Mount Karisimbi, rising to 14,787 feet (4,507 meters), while the lowest point lies at about 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) in the swampy Kagera (Akagera) River valley in the east.

 

 

 

Tourism plays a vital role in its economy, particularly through wildlife attractions such as the famed mountain gorillas. The major urban centers include Kigali, Gitarama, and Butare.

 

 

 

The indigenous population consists of three ethnic groups. The Hutus, who comprise the majority of the population (85%), are traditionally farmers of Bantu origin. The Tutsis (14%) are traditionally a pastoral people who arrived in the area in the 15th century.

Until 1959, they formed the dominant caste under a feudal system based on cattleholding. The Twa (1%) are thought to be the remnants of the earliest settlers of the region.

 

Early Origins
Rwanda’s history stretches back to at least 10,000 BCE when the first inhabitants settled in the area during the Neolithic period. These early settlers, known as the Twa people, were hunter-gatherers who lived in the forests and engaged in hunting, gathering, and pottery crafting.

According to oral traditions, the Rwandan kingdom traces its origins to the legendary hero Gihanga, whose arrival is linked to the dawn of civilization in the area.

By 600 CE, the people in Rwanda had mastered ironworking, cultivated crops such as sorghum and finger millet, and had small herds of livestock. These agricultural practices led to the identification of a new ethnic group, the Hutu people. Additionally, a wave of cattle-herding pastoralists believed to have originated from the upper reaches of the Nile settled in Rwanda between the 1400s and 1500s, eventually becoming known as the Tutsi people.

It is important to note that these migrations occurred gradually, with no evidence of large-scale invasions or conquests. Instead, cohabitation and intermarriage between the various groups led to a high degree of integration, acceptance, and interaction.

Unlike most sub-Saharan African nations whose borders were imposed by colonial powers, Rwanda’s boundaries reflect the pre-colonial nation-state that had already been firmly established before German rule.

The highlands of Rwanda and Burundi, east of Lake Kivu, are the last part of Africa to be reached by Europeans in the colonial expansion of the late 19th century. Before that time, local tradition tells of many centuries during which the Tutsi, a tall cattle-rearing people probably from the upper reaches of the Nile, infiltrated the area and won dominance over the Hutu, already in residence and living by agriculture.

In summary, the main ethnic groups of Rwanda are as follows:

Twa

The Twa are the smallest group (less than 1%). They preferred living in the forests where they lived by hunting and gathering. The Twa, also known as Batwa, are an indigenous pygmy group who were historically hunter-gatherers in the Great Lakes region of Central Africa, including Rwanda.They are considered some of the oldest inhabitants of the area and have a rich cultural tradition centred on music, dance, and songs. They are also known as the “forgotten people” and have faced significant discrimination and marginalisation. The Twa gave way when the Hutu arrived in the region and moved deeper into the forests.

 

 

 

Hutu

The Hutu make up the majority of Rwanda’s population (around 80–85%). The origin of the Hutus is unclear, probably arriving in what is present-day Rwanda and Burundi from the 5th to the 11th century.

They were small-scale agriculturists whose social structure was based on the clan. Kings, or Bahinza, ruled over limited clan groups. The Hutu believed that the Bahinza could cause rain, protect crops from insects, and cattle from disease. The Bahinza derived their power and status from this belief.

Tutsi

The Tutsi are a minority (about 14–15%) historically associated with cattle herding and political leadership.Some schools of thought suggest that the Tutsi first migrated to the area around the 14th century. The Tutsi used their cattle ownership and advanced combat skills to gain economic, political, and social control over the Hutu. Eventually, land ownership was taken from the Hutu and became the property of the Tutsi king, or Mwami.

They formed the ruling elite in the pre-colonial monarchy, with the Mwami (king) and aristocracy almost always being Tutsi. Under both German and Belgian colonial rule, their dominance was reinforced, which deepened divisions between them and the Hutu majority.

The Tutsi gradually established dominance over the Hutu, creating a feudal society with the Tutsi as the aristocracy and the Hutu as their vassals. While initially seen as a racial distinction, the Tutsi-Hutu divide was better understood as a class and occupation divide, with the Tutsi being the upper class and mostly herders and the Hutu being the lower class and predominantly farmers.

The Emergence of the Kingdom of Rwanda

Oral history indicates the Kingdom of Rwanda was founded on Lake Muhazi’s shore in the 14th or 15th centuries. By playing its larger neighbours against each other, the kingdom flourished and expanded. The Banyoro invaded in the late 16th or 17th century, which forced the kings west.

In the 17th century, a new dynasty was formed by King Ruganzu Ndori. The conquest of Bugesera began the Rwandan kingdom’s dominance of the area. The kingdom extended into modern-day Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda at its peak.

 

 

The Pre-colonial Rwanda was politically and militarily well organised.

The Pre-colonial Rwanda had several institutions reinforcing the king and his representatives. These institutions include Ubwiru (court secrets), Ubuhake (gifts of cows), Ubusizi (dynastic poetry was important in legitimising the ruling king), Ubucurabwenge (knowledge on the dynastic genealogy), Ibitekerezo by’Imiryango (family historic narratives), etc.

The Ancient kingdom of Rwanda was divided into Ibiti or Districts, which were large constituencies covering several hills and villages. Ibiti were divided into Ibikingi, which were a collection of different hills where administrative authority was exercised. Igikingi consisted of a division (a hill or a sub-hill) rich in pastures, which was part of the provincial division. The Ibikingi were similar to sub-chieftaincy divisions of the colonial era and there were two types of Ibikingi: the ‘administrative Igikingi’ and ‘pastoral Igikingi’.

 King (mwami)
The king was very honoured in Ancient Rwanda. He occupied the topmost position in the political, administrative, and military hierarchy to the extent that these functions were closely linked.  The kingdom of Rwanda was sacred, and the king was therefore supposed to have a divine origin. The king was the sole proprietor of everything and had every right to life and death over his subjects. He was also in charge of the armies, lawmakers, and supreme judges. His sentences had no appeal.

Queen-Mother (Umugabekazi)
She was usually the mother of the king or his stepmother. She could perform some ceremonies defined by the tradition. She was the confidante of and chief advisor to the king. She could orient the king’s actions and act as regent in case the king came to the throne when he was still young.

Custodians of the esoteric code (Abiru)
They were the guardians of the tradition and royal secrets. They were high dignitaries, and they came second as advisors to the king. They mastered the rites and symbolic procedures and processes of the country and their accomplishment. The king confided to them the name of his successor, and he passed recommendations to the successor through them.

Chiefs (Abatware b’intebe)
They were the heads of Ibiti appointed by the king and lived most of their lives in the royal court. They were consulted by the king, especially in times of crisis. They had the functions of controlling farmers and cattle keepers; supervising closely and controlling the functions of land and cattle sub-chiefs; commanding the army; raising taxes for the king, ikoro, and other services; distributing land and withdrawing it from others if it was felt necessary

At the level of “Igikingi” the administration was insured by three chiefs. These chiefs were appointed by the king depending on their merit or the merit of their families. The chiefs from that time resided in their administrative places and not in the royal court, as it was before this administrative reform.

The chief responsible for land (Umutware w’ ubutaka)
He was in charge of agricultural production and responsible for collecting royal tribute, “ikoro” from agricultural production. He had the responsibility to settle disputes arising from land issues like land distribution and settling new inhabitants on his land.

The chief responsible for cattle (Umutware w’umukenke)
He was responsible for pastures in his Igikingi and collected tax dues from cattle keepers. He had to know and supervise pastures reserved for Inyambo or cows for the royal court.

The army chief (Umutware w’ingabo)
He had the role of commanding the army and participating in the fighting between Rwanda and its enemies. He was also in charge of settling disputes between other chiefs and conflicts between the pastoralists.

Military organisation
In traditional Rwanda, the military institution was powerful. The army in Ancient Rwanda had the role of expanding the country, participating in the different wars, fighting against cattle rustlers and various raids, and ensuring territorial security.

At the royal court, there was a military training camp known as “Itorero” where the young men Intore recruited from among the king’s favourite chiefs learnt and practiced such values as generosity, courage, patriotism, moral responsibility, self-discipline, and the quality of being a man, “kuba umugabo”. In Pre-colonial Rwanda, the King, Queen-mother, Abiru, and Chiefs played a paramount role in the administration and politics of their country.

Economical organisation
The economic domain, in the pre-colonial Rwanda, comprised of different sectors. Economic organisation in Ancient Rwanda was based on the following economic activities: agriculture, animal rearing, handicrafts, and trade.

Queen-mother (Umugabekazi)
It was the principal activity characterised by an archaic production method (tools, crop rotation system, conservation methods), which gave poor yields. Agriculture was subsistence in nature, which means individual or family consumption. Cultivation was carried out according to climate seasons such as Umuhindo, Urugaryi, Itumba, and Icyi or Impeshyi and the main crops cultivated were beans, sorghum, peas, maize, yams, bananas, tobacco, and sweet potatoes.

Animal rearing
The animal production in Ancient Rwanda was mainly based on cattle rearing, goats, sheep, and the keeping of dogs and bees.

Handicraft
It was a very important activity in the daily life of Rwandans. It was from handicraft that Rwandans could get most tools to satisfy their daily needs. They made clothes, metal, and wooden objects destined for commercial purposes.  The clothes made were the Ishabure for the girls; Inkanda for the women; Uruhu for the men; Impuzu made from the skin of umuvumu, while ishabure, Inkanda, and uruhu were made from the skins of animals.  Metal tools made included spears, arrows, knives, and hoes. Three regions of Rwanda had a reputation for making and producing hoes such as: Buberuka (Amaberuka) Buramba (Amaramba) Rusengesi (Amasengesi)

Trade
The trade system in traditional Rwanda involved the exchange of goods for other goods, which was known as a barter system. The trade was mainly based on agricultural products, animal products, and handicrafts. Many markets or commercial centres throughout the country, especially the northwestern regions, were the following: Mushwiza, Ryabizige, Mulinzi, Mubuga, Butare, Kazirabageni, Mururu, Rwanza, Itetero, Buramba, Kaziba, Agasakuza, Miyove, and Vunga.

The main imported products from the neighboring countries included the salt from Lake Eduard, the bracelets from Masisi and Buhavu, and the perfume from Ijwi Island.

 

Arrival of the Europeans

In 1884, the Berlin Conference assigned Germany Ruanda-Urundi. German East Africa was then formed when this area was combined with Tanganyika. In 1894, Gustav Adolf von Gotzen explored the country. The Germans did not alter the country’s social structure, but supported the king.

The Germans favored the Tutsi group and help suppress the Hutu rebellions. During World War I, the Belgians took the territory.

After World War I, Rwanda became a League of Nations mandate with Belgium in control. As opposed to the German approach, Belgium was more involved in the territory, including health, public works, education, and agriculture. Belgians attempted to improve agriculture, but this did not prevent major famines from occurring.

Belgium also kept the class system in place and promoted Tutsi supremacy. They also considered the groups to be different races and created identity cards, labelling each person a member of the Tutsi, Hutu, or Twa group. They based this classification on arbitrary physical characteristics. If there was a borderline case, those with ten or more cattle owned were labelled Tutsi, with the rest labelled Hutu.

 

Independence and the rise of Hutu power
On 1 July 1962, Rwanda and Burundi gained independence from Belgium. Rwanda became a republic, while Burundi retained its monarchy. The Hutu, who constituted the majority of the population, seized political power.

Gregoire Kayibanda, leader of the Parti du Mouvement de l’Emancipation du Peuple Hutu (Party for Hutu Emancipation), became the first president of Rwanda. Unfortunately, this period also witnessed the rise of ethnic tensions and the emergence of Hutu Power, which fueled violence against the Tutsi minority.

 

 

 

 

In July 1973, Major General Juvénal Habyarimana orchestrated a coup that overthrew President Grégoire Kayibanda in Rwanda.

Habyarimana’s government, which presented itself as legitimate through the establishment of a one-party system and a new constitution, continued to propagate anti-Tutsi sentiment. This environment contributed to widespread discrimination and violence against Tutsis, leading to a significant refugee crisis as many fled the country. Tensions escalated further when the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) emerged, composed of Tutsi exiles seeking to challenge Habyarimana’s rule.

The situation culminated in the Rwandan genocide of 1994, a tragic outcome of the policies and hostilities that Habyarimana’s regime had exacerbated during his time in power.
Over the course of a few months, an estimated 800,000 Rwandans, mainly Tutsis, were brutally killed.

In July 1994, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) seized control of Rwanda, ending the genocide against the Tutsi and establishing a new political order. Paul Kagame, leader of the RPF, emerged as the de facto leader of Rwanda, setting the stage for his long-term political influence.