The Rwandan Genocide

Nyamata Memorial Site

I haven’t really talked about the genocide very much in my blog, because it seems the only thing associated with the country. Yet the nation is doing so well that there are many better things to talk about that are not so well known. The genocide really isn’t at the forefront of my mind throughout a typical day when there are so many promising indications that people are moving forward.

However, sometimes it is undeniable. The genocide began in April 1994 so this year is the 20^th anniversary. Every April things basically shut down for the commemoration events (right now there is a three week holiday from school). It’s hard to overplay the consequences. Many individuals were the only survivors of their entire family and almost everyone in the country witnessed some sort of violence, leading to severe emotional problems for both Hutus and Tutsis. For the country as a whole, the strongest and most educated of the populace were decimated. Nyamata, where Maranyundo Girls’ School is located, was affected particularly harshly.

Before the genocide, the area was willfully and extremely impoverished by the anti-Tutsi government at the time. Tutsis were sent to the region with the understanding that many would die from malnutrition or Malaria. It is now notorious as one of the most horrifying massacres of the genocide. When it started, many people went to their local places of worship, expecting safety and a humanity within the slaughterers to never kill in a house of God. Ten thousand people were in and around the Nyamata church compound on April 10, 1994. Ten thousand. Think about that. It is difficult to comprehend such a large number. That is everyone I know and more. On April 11, almost every man, woman and child of the 10,000 in the church’s vicinity were killed. After throwing grenades into the building, the government and Hutu militia came in to finish the job with machetes and rifles.

I haven’t been in the building yet, although I plan to go soon. It is now an official genocide memorial and people in Nyamata currently worship in a partially constructed sanctuary across the dirt road, a few hundred yards from the site. Behind the building, adjacent to the road, are a few crypts serving as mass graves. I walk past it every Sunday on my way to church and I would be lying if I said it doesn’t consistently give me goose bumps. Yet, it contrasts strongly with what else I see on the walk: laughing children with full bellies, dapper businessmen, sparkly cars, and manicured streets. They honor these victims, not by forgetting, but by living to their potential. Despite the devastation and memories, they can’t avoid being hopeful.

For pictures of the memorial and more information, including quite disturbing witness accounts:

http://bachersblog.com/nyamata-catholic-church-genocide-memorial/

http://www.genocidearchiverwanda.org.rw/index.php?title=Nyamata

http://www.orwelltoday.com/bugeserachurch.shtml

http://www.orwelltoday.com/rwandainkotanyisurvivors.shtml
http://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/index.php?i=15325&a=65859