Why did Germany want Rwanda?
The Germans believed the Tutsi ruling class was racially superior to the other native peoples of Rwanda because of their alleged “Hamitic” origins on the Horn of Africa, which they believed made them more “European” than the Hutu.
What was Rwanda called?
Rwanda, landlocked republic lying south of the Equator in east-central Africa. Known for its breathtaking scenery, Rwanda is often referred to as le pays des mille collines (French: “land of a thousand hills”). The capital is Kigali, located in the centre of the country on the Ruganwa River.
What is pre colonial Rwanda?
The Kingdom of Rwanda was a pre-colonial Bantu kingdom in East Africa which survived with some of its autonomy intact under German and Belgian colonial rule until its monarchy was abolished during the Rwandan Revolution in 1961. After a 1961 referendum, Rwanda became a republic and received its independence in 1962.
Who owned Rwanda?
Germany colonised Rwanda in 1884 as part of German East Africa, followed by Belgium, which invaded in 1916 during World War I. Both European nations ruled through the kings and perpetuated a pro-Tutsi policy.
Where did the Tutsi tribe originally come from?
The Tutsis, also known as Watutsis, were a nomadic people who began arriving in the Great Lakes region from Ethiopia some four hundred years ago. Eventually, the Tutsis settled amongst the Hutus – adopting their language, beliefs and customs. But economic differences between the groups soon began to form.
Why do they speak French in Rwanda?
French had been the language of administration from the country’s time under Belgian administration, between the First World War and independence in 1962.
How can you tell the difference between a Hutu and a Tutsi?
“Hutus” were people who farmed crops, while “Tutsis” were people who tended livestock. Most Rwandans were Hutus. Gradually, these class divisions became seen as ethnic designations. Because cattle were more valuable than crops, the minority Tutsis became the local elite.
Who colonized Rwanda first?
the German Empire
The Kingdom of Rwanda was ruled by the Mwami (King), and the kingdom reached the height of its territorial expansion in the late 1800s[iii]. In 1899 Rwanda was colonised by the German Empire as it was officially incorporated into German East Africa and ruled indirectly through King Musinga’s puppet government[iv].