Colonial roots of the genocide in Rwanda | DW Documentary
129,991
Published 2024-04-05
He undertakes a journey from Rwanda to Germany and Belgium, both former colonial powers in the small East African nation. He hopes it will help him to understand the basis for the Hutu majority’s animosity towards the country’s small Tutsi minority. In Rwanda and Europe, Samuel meets with historians and contemporary witnesses. He wants to understand what happened to make people in his homeland turn on each other in such a way. What role was played by the "Hamite hypothesis,” a theory that assigned the Tutsis racial superiority? What’s the story behind all the human skulls taken to Germany from Rwanda more than 100 years ago? And, he asks, are the former colonial powers to blame for the fact that his parents, like so many other Rwandans, had to die? Or do the Rwandans bear the responsibility for the terrible mass murders that occurred between April and July 1994?
Whereas Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda saw themselves as belonging to different social classes, the German colonial rulers who were here from the late 19th century until 1916 defined them along ethnic, racial lines. In the 19th century, many Tutsis were members of an upper class with assets that included valuable cattle. The Hutus, on the other hand, were usually farmers with little or no livestock. For centuries, the kings of Rwanda were Tutsis. The Belgians drove the Germans out of Rwanda in World War One and assumed control of the country until its independence in 1962. These colonial rulers exacerbated the divisions between Hutus and Tutsis, exploiting discord to further their own interests. In the second half of the 1950s, the Belgians withdrew their support for the king and the ruling Tutsi government, facilitating a Hutu power grab. Large numbers of Tutsis came under attack at the time. Hundreds of thousands fled the country.
30 years after the genocide, peace now prevails in Rwanda. President Kagame’s policies have worked to break down adherence to Hutu and Tutsi identities. Does this mean that the country’s dark past and the distrust that long simmered between the groups has now been overcome?
#documentary #dwdocumentary
______
DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch top documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look behind the complexities of daily life and build a deeper understanding of current affairs and global events. Subscribe and explore the world around you with DW Documentary.
Subscribe to:
⮞ DW Documentary (English): youtube.com/dwdocumentary
⮞ DW Documental (Spanish): youtube.com/dwdocumental
⮞ DW Documentary وثائقية دي دبليو (Arabic): youtube.com/dwdocarabia
⮞ DW Doku (German): youtube.com/dwdoku
⮞ DW Documentary हिन्दी (Hindi): youtube.com/dwdochindi
For more visit: www.dw.com/en/tv/docfilm/s-3610
Follow DW Documentary on Instagram: www.instagram.com/dwdocumentary/
Follow DW Documental on Facebook: www.facebook.com/dwdocumental
We kindly ask viewers to read and stick to the DW netiquette policy on our channel: p.dw.com/p/MF1G
All Comments (21)
-
I'm a Ghanaian and I felt sad watching this.This documentary is a masterpiece.Much love to everyone from Rwanda.
-
I am from kyrgyzstan and i 've been interested in the history of genocide in Rwanda since i was 10 year old . It is such a tragic history to discover.Lessons to be learnt.But I know that nowdays Rwanda is one of the cleanest countries in the world,maybe even the cleanest one.Peace and prosperity to Rwanda from Kyrgyzstan.
-
Samuel was my classmate at APAPER primary school he was sooo quite but very clever and smart I was always wondering why he was so quite and I am very sad to found out that he is an orphan of genocide, I am glad that he is now successful. ❤
-
I'm a burundian woman born and raise in Canada. My parents used to tell me stories about the same territory Burundi Rwanda used to share. Colonial did us wrong but we now have to power to take control of our destiny. What a beautiful documentary!
-
I visited Rwanda for the first time 3 months ago. I was so impressed with the country. The people are friendly and Kigali is very clean. They take pride in the country. I did go to the genocide memorial where 250,000 Rwandans are buried. I knew it would be difficult but I had no idea the experience would be as hard as it was. My Rwandan friend born after the Genocide went with me. He has lost grandparents, aunts and uncles in this terrible genocide. He says his mother still can't even talk about it. She trusts nobody. I was overwhelmed in a room full of skulls with machete marks. I couldn't take it anymore and had to sit and cry for a while before I could continue. This documentary really helped me understand the history. This past weekend was the 30th anniversary of the start of the genocide. I wish Rwanda all the best in healing from this terrible event. Thank you so much for producing this excellent documentary. I knew about the Belgian history but not the German history. I do think an apology is in order!
-
Mr. Ishimwe---
I am watching your film now on live television.......all the way from Puerto Rico in the Caribbean. It is a beautifully made piece, and in it you ask all the right questions while leaving the viewer to ponder some of the possible answers. Such a lovely film.........I am so so sorry for your trauma and for that of your country and I wish you all the best in life...... you did a wondetful job with the film. -
"I'm from India 🇮🇳! Oh, Rwanda, you've endured a challenging past. I have several friends there who lost their parents during those times. But now, you've come together and never looked back! We stand with you, my Rwandan brothers and sisters. 🙏🙏" "I've heard numerous stories about the Rwanda genocide from my friends. Being born in 1995, I deeply empathize with this history. One day, I aspire to visit your country."
-
I love me a documentary of Rwanda by a Rwandan. It's like looking at history through the eyes of those who didn't just witness it but who were actively involved in its making.
-
For those in the comments who seem confused: As Rwandans, we take responsibility for what happen during the genocide against Tustis. However, a full blown genocide takes years or decades of popular conditioning which started with belgians colonisers & the head of catholic church in Rwanda, it continued resulting in 1st anti Tutsis pogroms in 1959, the 60s after independance, 1973, 90,92 & the worst of them all 1994. There is no possible genocide without the backing of a powerful nation (France in our case) &/or the indifference of the world at large (UN, African countries,) in another words. We were left to be eaten alive by the hyenas. Thanks largerly to the RPF, and so much sacrifice from survivors, Rwanda that was condemned to be a failed state is standing tall. We have the most progressive & the most panafricanist leader most Africa would wish for. Rwanda is here to remind you all. Beware of Hyenas amongst ur leaders, a.k.a the corrupt, lazy, opportunistic, short cutters.
-
as Rwandese, this documentary has taught me about Rwanda more than i leant in 32 years of my existance! well done brother. i dreamt of doing such a documentary and im glad someone brought it to life
-
This is so so beautiful. Finally, someone can tell our story the right way. Sending love to Samuel and his uncle and auntie, and to his nanny who risked her life to save he and his brother. Indeed, we can live a good life.
-
I was 16 years old when I witnessed and survived the Genocide Against The Tutsi. It took me two days to watch the documentary. Thank you, Sam, for telling our story through your eyes and digging deeper. Africans must correct false narratives about our history while raising awareness.
-
What a harrowing, thoughtful, captivating & beautiful masterpiece- clearly a love letter to your parents, community & country. Well done Samuel. I pray for Rwanda to truly heal & have peace
-
I am an African American woman who has been reading various books on the history of Rwanda including what led to the genocide in 1994. I am extremely grateful for this documentary and for the insight it has provided. Thank you.
-
A well-crafted documentary that combines thorough research, compelling storytelling, and impactful testimonies. Congratulations to Samuel Ishimwe, and may the people of Rwanda continue to overcome challenges and flourish. Sending love and support from Burundi
-
First time learning that despite the tribal nomenclature, the 3 tribes spoke the same language. The ignorant thing about the war was while the thought they were fighting a tribal war, it was actually a class war. Their similarities were so much that the only thing they could use in differentiating each other was the content of their identity document.
I must congratulate the people of Rwanda for the heavy strides they made by accepting responsibility for the past and ensuring such evil does not occur again in their future. That is a great feat and I salute you all.
The major heroes are those that were able to forgive the known perpetrators all in a bid to leave a better future for their offsprings. How else does one determine a Saint? -
Thank you so much for making this happen. It is so refreshing to see our story being told by a fellow Rwandan. I have always failed to wrap my head around how the hate between brothers, neighbours, and countrymen was pretty much fueled by a made-up story. To this day, when people choose to refer to others by these so-called "ethnic" groups, I wonder if I am the one who is crazy for not seeing it or if they are blind. I loved the last part that emphasised that being Rwandan is so much more than our story about the genocide (even though it is very important and we shall forever remember it). I can't wait to see more people diving into re-educating, re-populising, and simply living in our true heritage of arts, values, and mostly love. You can't imagine how much your work is amazing. Thank you, Sam and the team.
-
So proud of you Samuel. Our mother always told about your mom Julienne she used to regret her a lot and told us how she was a very kind and lovable human. So sorry you will never know her and your dad. But glad to see where you are up to now. Hope your brother Daniel is doing great as well.
-
Great work my brother! I love the authenticity of your work, and It was about time for telling our history by us! 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿much love from Canada 🇨🇦.
-
Thank you for the eye opening documentary, I am from Kenya and I now understand the scope of the division in Rwanda terrible how people easily kill out of hate. May Africans never do each other dirty like this again.
