Explore the continuity of Rwandan history, from the ancient drum beats of the Kingdom to the digital pulse of modern Kigali.
The Era of the Mwami
Rwanda emerged as a centralized kingdom under the Nyiginya dynasty. Key developments included the expansion of borders, the codification of the Ubuhake social system, and the preservation of history through oral traditions like Ibisigo.
German & Belgian Administration
Germany established indirect rule in 1897. Following WWI, Belgium assumed the mandate (1916). This era introduced cash crops, Catholicism, and the rigid ethnic classification via ID cards (1933) that deepened social divisions.
Sovereignty & Instability
Rwanda gained independence on July 1, 1962. The First and Second Republics were marked by cyclical violence, exclusion politics, and the exile of the Tutsi population, culminating in the 1990 Civil War.
The Darkest Chapter
From April 7 to July 4, 1994, over one million Tutsi were killed in a systematic campaign planned by the state. The genocide ended when the RPF took Kigali, stopping the killings.
Unity & Vision 2050
A period defined by restorative justice (Gacaca), a new constitution (2003), gender equality, and rapid economic development. Rwanda positions itself as a tech hub and a model for post-conflict reconciliation.