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The Palgrave Handbook of Ethnicity pp 1611–1642Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Ethnic Conflict and Genocide in Rwanda

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Abstract

Identity and ethnicity have played a significant and contested role in the history of Rwanda, the genocide of 1994 and its aftermath. This chapter traces the origins of ethnicity as the most salient identity marker for Rwandans since colonization and independence. Starting with an overview of precolonial relations between the three identity groups provides a backdrop for understanding how ethnic identity was constructed by the colonial powers, reinforced by the postindependence governments and became a driver for violent conflict and ultimately genocide. Continuing this tradition of mythmaking and manipulation of identity for social and political purposes, the government of Rwanda post-genocide has sought to replace ethnic identity with a superordinate Rwandan national identity in order to maintain stability and promote unity and reconciliation. The chapter concludes by examining the contemporary challenges and implications of this approach to identity transformation for peace in Rwanda. Central to the analysis is the recognition of how ethnicity has been constructed, reconstructed, and deconstructed for strategic and pragmatic purposes before, during, and after the genocide, rather than being seen as a primordial and definitive marker and determinant of social and political relations and violence in Rwanda. Nevertheless, ethnic identity, although recognized as a political and historical construct, is also seen as a potential powder keg because of its powerful mythological characteristics and capacity to engender deep affective responses based on collective memories of oppression and violence.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Wendy Lambourne

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  1. Wendy Lambourne
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Correspondence to Wendy Lambourne .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anthropology and Sociology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Steven Ratuva

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  1. Faculdade de Filosofia e Ciências, Sao Paulo State University, Marília, Brazil

    Sérgio Luiz Cruz Aguilar

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Lambourne, W. (2019). Ethnic Conflict and Genocide in Rwanda. In: Ratuva, S. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Ethnicity. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2898-5_118

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