How did the Belgians create division between the Hutu and Tutsi Hotel Rwanda?

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If you are far away from the king, you are a cultivator, you don't own much cattle, you are a Hutu.” Colonial rule, which began in the late 19th Century, did little to bring the groups together. The Belgians, who ruled what would later become Rwanda and Burundi, forced Hutus and Tutsis to carry ethnic identity cards.



In this regard, where did the classification of Hutu and Tutsi come from in Rwanda?

Belgian and German colonists divided the people of Rwanda into 3 different racial classifications: Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa. The Belgians thought that the Tutsis were a superior people because they were more “white.”

Subsequently, question is, how did Belgium cause the Rwandan genocide? Rwanda and independence An incident in 1959 involving members of the Tutsi army attacking a Hutu political leader caused riots leading to fights between the two tribes. The Hutus however were more than the Tutsis and because of fear of further coups, the Belgians transferred power from the Tutsis to the Hutus.

Thereof, what role did Belgian colonialism play in paving the way for the Rwandan genocide?

Belgian rule created more of an ethnic divide between the Tutsi & Hutu, supporting Tutsi political power. Due to eugenics movements colonial government became concerned with differences between Hutu & Tutsi.

How did Tutsi treat Hutu?

The Tutsi, the minority group, were highly favored, and given privilege and western style education as well as positions enforcing Belgian rule. Meanwhile the Hutu were treated with little respect and restricted to jobs that did not offer opportunity or wealth.

33 Related Question Answers Found

Do Tutsis and Hutus look different?

Despite the stereotypical variation in appearance - tall Tutsis, squat Hutus - anthropologists say they are ethnically indistinguishable. The oft- quoted difference in height is roughly the same as the difference between wealthy and poor Europeans in the last century (an average of 12cm).

Are Hutus and Tutsis different races?

Ethnic groups in Rwanda. The largest ethnic groups in Rwanda are the Hutus, which make up about 85% of Rwanda's population; the Tutsis, which are 14%; and the Twa, 1%. Starting with the Tutsi feudal monarchy rule of the Tenth century, the Hutus were a subjugated social group.

Is there still tension in Rwanda?

The country has struggled with its legacy of ethnic tension associated with the traditionally unequal relationship between the Tutsi minority and the majority Hutus. Rwanda is striving to rebuild its economy, with coffee and tea production among its main exports.

Where did Tutsi originally come from?

The Tutsi are one of three native peoples of the nations of Rwanda and Burundi in central Africa, the other two being the Twa and the Hutu. The Twa (or Batwa) are a pygmy people and the original inhabitants. The Hutu (or Bahutu) are a people of Bantu origin, and since they moved into the area they dominated the Twa.

Are Tutsis related to Somalis?


The tutsi are descendant from Oromo Ethiopians and Somalis. They descend from Nilotic tribes who migrated and assimilated with the Bantu tribes in present day Rwanda and Burundi.

Why did Belgium favor the Tutsis?

Belgian rule reinforced an ethnic divide between the Tutsi and Hutu, and they supported Tutsis political power. The Belgians gave the majority of political control to the Tutsis. Tutsis began to believe the myth of their superior racial status, and exploited their power over the Hutu majority.

Why did the Hutus and Tutsis fight?

But Tutsis were used by colonial powers Germany and later Belgium to rule Burundi and Rwanda. The Tutsis sometimes abused their powers to seize Hutu land. Hutu resentment spilled over into massacres in 1959, driving hundreds of thousands of Tutsis into exile and culminated in the genocide of 1994.

Are Tutsi tall?

If you've never been to Rwanda, the only thing you might know about the country is that there are two main ethnic groups, the Hutu and the Tutsi. Tutsis are tall and thin (you've read that somewhere), except when they aren't. Hutus have broad noses (someone told you that), except when they have narrow noses.

When did Rwanda become a Belgian colony?

Rwanda became part of German East Africa in 1899. After World War I, it came under Belgian administration under a League of Nations mandate, and, from 1920, as part of a UN trust territory, 'Ruanda–Urundi'. After World War II, Rwanda continued to be administered by Belgium.

What happened when Belgium left Rwanda?

More than 20,000 Tutsis were killed, and many more fled to the neighbouring countries of Burundi, Tanzania and Uganda. When Belgium relinquished power and granted Rwanda independence in 1962, the Hutus took their place. Over subsequent decades, the Tutsis were portrayed as the scapegoats for every crisis.

What was Rwanda like before colonization?

Pre-Colonial History Twa, Hutu and Tutsi are the three peoples who inhabit Rwanda. The Twa, who number less than 1% percent of the population and are pygmies. The Tutsi first migrated into the area around the 14th century. It was probably not one large, sudden invasion but a slow process that was mostly peaceful.

What was the policy of the Belgians toward the Tutsi people in neighboring Rwanda and Burundi?

Colonial rule, which began in the late 19th Century, did little to bring the groups together. The Belgians, who ruled what would later become Rwanda and Burundi, forced Hutus and Tutsis to carry ethnic identity cards.

Why did Tutsis leave Rwanda?

A Hutu revolution in Rwanda installs a new president, Gregoire Kayibanda; fighting continues and thousands of Tutsis are forced to flee. In Burundi, Tutsis retain power. 1963 Further massacre of Tutsis, this time in response to military attack by exiled Tutsis in Burundi. Again more refugees leave the country.

Did the UN intervene in Rwanda?


' UN troops went to Rwanda in November 1993. Their mandate was to keep the peace between forces of the Hutu government and rebels of the Tutsi-dominated Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) which had launched a civil war in 1990. The UN force had no authority to impose law and order, just to supervise.

What is Ubuhake?

Ubuhake is the name given to the social order in Rwanda and Burundi from approximately the 15th century to 1958. It has been frequently compared to European feudalism. The Tutsi monarchy used the land distribution system of uburetwa to centralise control of the lands in most of Rwanda in a system called igikingi.

Who are the Hutus in Rwanda?

Hutu, also called Bahutu or Wahutu, Bantu-speaking people of Rwanda and Burundi. Numbering about 9,500,000 in the late 20th century, the Hutu comprise the vast majority in both countries but were traditionally subject to the Tutsi (q.v.), warrior-pastoralists of Nilotic stock.