Peaceful People & culture in Rwanda

Awareness during tranquil times
It is important to acknowledge that Rwanda is on a journey of healing following a civil war and the tragic events of the 1994 genocide, which claimed the lives of around a million individuals. From April to mid-July 1994, almost 70 percent of the Tutsi population faced brutal violence at the hands of Hutu extremists. Countless individuals found themselves uprooted while the world watched in disbelief. The journey of healing will undoubtedly span many years, so please respect the privacy of Rwandans and refrain from asking intrusive questions about the nation’s recent struggles. Many cherished relatives and friends have gone missing. People continue to avoid the conversation, choosing instead to forge ahead.

In 2004, merely ten years following the genocide, the government prohibited ethnic distinctions. It has vanished from ID cards and government forms, and is absent from school books, although the genocide is addressed as a means of reflecting on history. The decision to eliminate references to ethnicity has sparked debate, yet many view it as essential for fostering a sense of unity, allowing individuals to be recognized solely as Rwandan rather than by their ethnic backgrounds of Hutu, Twa, or Tutsi. As a visitor, it is crucial to recognize that talking about someone is ethnicity can be both disrespectful and against the law.