History

Pre-Colonial Era

Rwanda was first colonized by Germany during the Scramble for Africa in the late 19th century, becoming part of German East Africa in 1897. German colonial rule in Rwanda was relatively indirect, relying on the existing Tutsi monarchy to administer the population. After Germany’s defeat in World War I, Belgium took control of Rwanda under a League of Nations mandate in 1916, later formalized by the United Nations trusteeship system. This change in colonial powers brought new systems of control that would come to deeply influence Rwandan society.

Colonial Identity Cards

Rwandan National ID card with "Ethnicity" marked as Tutsi.

In the 1930s, Belgian colonial authorities introduced identity cards in Rwanda that categorized individuals by ethnicity as Hutu, Tutsi, or Twa. This was done to elevate the Tutsi and suppress the Hutu and Twa, as both Belgian and German colonialists believed the Tutsi were superior due to their more “European” or “white” appearance. The identity cards remained in use after Rwanda gained independence in 1962 and played a role in political and social structures.

Growing Tensions

Following independence, Rwanda’s power shifted to the Hutu majority, reversing colonial favoritism toward the Tutsi. Tensions escalated as Tutsi were pushed out of political and social life, leading to cycles of violence and mass displacement. Many exiled Tutsi formed the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), which launched a civil war in 1990. The conflict deepened ethnic divides, and government propaganda portrayed Tutsi civilians as internal enemies.

1994 Rwandan Genocide

Rising tensions based on racial divisons and the oppression of some groups of people set the stage for the horrific events that occured in 1994. Hutu officials began preparation to carry out a massive genocide of Tutsi minority. They trained and armed militias like the Interahamwe and gave arms to civilians.

During the Rwandan genocide, the Twa people suffered devastating losses that are often overlooked in historical accounts. Although they made up less than one percent of the population, an estimated 30% of the Twa, around 8,000 to 10,000 people, were killed (Lewis, 2006).

The Twa were caught between both sides of the conflict. They were targeted by the Interahamwe that accused them of supporting the Tutsi monarchy. At the same time, they were also victimized by the RPF, which assumed they had collaborated with the perpetrators.

Despite their historical neutrality and minimal political involvement, the Twa were subjected to extreme violence and forced displacement. Their suffering remains largely forgotten in mainstream narratives of the genocide due to their small population and the overwhelming focus on Hutu-Tutsi dynamics.

Post-War Rebuilding

After the genocide, many Twa returned to find their homes destroyed, their men imprisoned, and their communities scattered. Most survivors were widows and children, left to rebuild with little to no support.

Government housing and aid programs often excluded the Twa, focusing instead on Tutsi survivors. "Only the Tutsi get help in our region,” one Twa woman said in 1999 (Lewis, 2006). Even when Twa families received aid, it was often sold or used up immediately due to extreme poverty.

In resettlement villages, Twa faced disputes with neighbors and feared losing land without fair compensation. With few resources and limited political voice, they were largely left out of Rwanda’s rebuilding efforts.

The Twa: From History to Today

Rwanda is a low-income, landlocked country with limited natural resources but considerable agricultural potential. It has made strides in development since the 1994 genocide, but much of the country remains poor, and the gains are unevenly distributed. The Twa, who make up only about 1% of the population, are among the most impoverished and excluded groups in Rwanda. Their ongoing struggles reflect a long history of loss of land, political voice, and cultural recognition.

Summary Timeline

Ancient Times – 1100 AD: Twa are primary forest inhabitants.

~1100 AD: Hutu and Tutsi arrive and gain dominance; Twa begin to face marginalization.

1890–1916: German colonial rule; Twa largely neglected.

1916–1962: Belgian colonial rule; deepening ethnic divisions and exclusion of Twa.

1962: Rwanda gains independence; marginalization of Twa continues.

1990: Outbreak of the Rwandan Civil War.

1994: Rwandan Genocide; Civil War ends.

Present: Twa remain economically, socially, and politically marginalized.

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