General Information

Rich in culture and ecological diversity, Rwanda is a mecca for academics and ecotourists alike. Though it experienced a tragic genocide more than a decade ago, today it is one of the safest countries in all of East Africa and attracts people from all over the world. It is the most densely populated country on the continent, and with an average age of 19 years old, the population is also quite young.

Rwanda is a small, landlocked country in East-Central Africa, slightly smaller than the state of Maryland. Despite its size, it is one of the most geographically diverse countries in Africa. Volcanic mountains in the western portion of the country are home to the world’s largest population of mountain gorillas, an ideal destination for ecotoursts. Rolling hills to the east give Rwanda one of its names, “the Land of a Thousand Hills” or “le Pays des Mille Collines.” These hills cradle lakes and rivers and are covered with what looks like an endless green quilt of family farms. Also to the east is the lush Akagera Valley which gives Rwanda its second name, “The Source of the Nile.” One of the best highway systems in east Africa connects this diverse terrain to the capital, Kigali.

Rwanda is at the center of East Africa, not only geographically, but linguistically. To the south and west it shares borders with French-speaking Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Burundi. To the north and east are English-speaking Uganda and Tanzania. Nearly all Rwandans speak Kinyarwandan, a national language and the traditional Bantu dialect. In economic centers many people speak Kiswahili, a regional language of trade. French is the second national language–brought to the region by Belgian colonizers and used as the language of the government until 2003, when English was added as the third national language.

Rwanda is a country rich in culture. Driving through the countryside a visitor will be struck by how crowded the roads are with people. Some carry large sacks of vegetables on their heads as they travel to local markets while others have babies tied to their backs in cloth slings. Young children balance long sugar canes on their heads as they traverse the winding hills.

In any of the towns along the road, a passerby can expect to be approached by any number of venders. Often vendors carry wooden crates filled with small wares including chewing gum, cigarettes, and phone cards. In urban centers, women and men fill the streets with goods—artwork, jewelry, fruits, vegetables, flowers. These mobile vendors will walk up and down streets shouting the prices — usually in French. If you are interested, you can generally expect to bargain down the price quite a bit.

In urban centers, Rwandans can be very formal in their dress and in their manner. For men, this means a button-down shirt and slacks, and for women, a blouse and skirt. This formality is tempered by the easy way Rwandans interact. It is common for friends to be seen holding hands. Here, male-female relationships are strictly formal and public displays of affection are rarely seen.

Much of this respect stems from the emphasis Rwandans place on family and friends. People almost always eat together, with meals being an important family time. Fathers are typically the head of the household while mothers are a close second. Once sons grow older, they assume the second or third standing in the family hierarchy. Girls are at the bottom of this totem pole—often running chores and balancing extra work that is expected of them. While the government continues to push for more gender equality, there is still much work to be done.

 
Hospitality

When a Rwandan invites you to come over, they truly mean it. If you come for a meal, though, be prepared to stay awhile. A nice meal would likely consist of cooked vegetables that are in season, chicken or mutton (goat), and ugali. Rice and plantains (large, non-sweet relative of bananas that taste like potatoes) are staples in the Rwandan diet. “Chips” (AKA french-fries) are another staple, and a remnant of its Belgian colonial past. Fresh fruits and vegetables are available year round, with some vendors walking right past your front door! Coffee (“ca-fay”), tea (“ichya-yee”), and toast are common breakfast fare. Rwandans feed guests generously, so be prepared to eat hungrily and gratefully.

 

The Genocide and its Effects on Development

Rwanda is a unique case in economic development. The genocide of 1994 left the country in political, social, and economic ruin. Roughly one million people were killed—one tenth of the population. This was the culmination of decades of sporadic aggression by the majority Hutu against the minority Tutsi population. Economic collapse, triggered by plummeting global coffee prices, preceded the intensification of violence. Two to three million more fled the country, going mostly to neighboring Tanzania, Uganda, or DRC.

At the end of “the 100 days” (a reference to the length of the most intense violence of the genocide), there was no government to speak of in Rwanda. What citizens remained in the country—as well as those who had fled its borders—were horribly traumatized by what they had experienced. Even the most basic levels of economic subsistence were wiped out.

Once the violence abated, peace talks began. While the international community did virtually nothing to intervene during the genocide, once the violence subsided, foreign aid money poured into the country by the billions of dollars. Experts from around the world offered their help in the rebuilding process (The Kigali Memorial Centre, pictured, was opened on the 10th Anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide, in April 2004, and was funded by donors worldwide. The Centre is built on a site where over 250,000 people are buried). This was not just rebuilding of structures and replanting of crops but the creation of a whole new way of life in the country. A military government–The Government of National Unity–was temporarily installed and, in time, it transitioned to a democracy. A new democratic government was constructed and is still being developed today.

Rwanda’s first presidential elections were held in August and September of 2003. Paul Kagame, the previous vice president of the military government, was elected to a seven-year term, winning ninety-five percent of the votes. The parlimentary election in 2008 resulted in the world's first national female majority legislature, with women capturing 56% of the seats. The results of this election–and more so, the results of the 2010 presidential election–will be significant tests of the efficacy of Rwandan democracy and indicators of governing legitimacy.

 
The Genocide’s Effects on the Educational System

After reaching a peace agreement, one of the first actions of the Government of National Unity was to address the issue of schooling. Schooling can provide a sense of security and normalcy, as well as serve as a community focal point.  As schools were reopened, it became evident that Rwandans were returning after seeking refuge in neighboring countries during the decades prior to the genocide. Many of these people had adopted the language of their nation of asylum and so returned to Rwanda, like General Paul Kagame, speaking English.

Until this time, Rwanda had been a French-speaking country, but with the influx of English-speakers it became necessary to integrate these language groups wholly and peacefully into Rwandan society. In 1995, the first meetings were held to address Rwanda’s reconstruction. Amongst many issues discussed at these meetings, bilingual education was one of the most critical.

Through the Ministry of Planning, which was established as a product of these gatherings, a twenty-year plan for peaceful modernization, known as the 2020 Vision was created. Today, this is the primary document guiding education and economic policy in the country.

Web Resources and a Helpful Read

• Government of Rwanda  |  Official Site
• Embassy of Rwanda in the US
• Rwanda Development Gateway  |  News reports and international headlines that serves as a clearinghouse of information on Rwandan development (includes sections on history and climate to education and health)
• BBC on Rwanda  |  News and Country Profile
• Background Notes  |  From the US State Department
• CDC  |  Health Information
• UNICEF  |  Statistics and News
• Stanford Libraries' African Collection  |  Extensive collection of Rwanda-related weblinks
• Lonely Planet  |  Travel guide for Rwanda
• Culture and Customs of Rwanda by Julius O. Adekunle  |   ISBN: 0-313-33177-4  (May of 2007). This book describes many cultural characteristics including the importance of family, the role of women, arts and oral cultures, clothes, and food. Whether you are in the country or thinking about applying, this would be a good introduction to Rwandan culture.

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