This has been affirmed by scholars who gathered in Kakiru sector, Gasabo district to discuss about issues related to the post Genocide Rwanda and how descendants of the perpetrators face this period.
One of the researchers who conducted the study found that the Twa people from Rwanda that he questioned preferred being called Twa as instead of ‘Historically Marginalized People’.
For them this last name reveals that the marginalization they endured for centuries was created and maintained by the rest of Rwandans, thus preferring the former one ‘Twa’.
The one day conference brought in other issues about the psychological and emotional status of descendants of the genocide perpetrators.
The PhD candidate in Anthropology Theoneste Rutayisire revealed that findings suggest the genocide descendants are battling feelings of guilt and shame as they recognize their blood relationship with the convicted genocide perpetrators.
This feeling is a barrier to their emotional welbeing as it weakens strong and lasting social cohesion between the sufferers and the rest of the Rwandan population, he added.
Regarding the willing of the Twa people to remain called Twa instead of being labeled historically marginalized people, Richard pointed out that the concerned people feel more socially accepted when called Twa rather than HMP.
He advised government officials to conduct more studies on the living styles of this minority group as to understand them more before carrying out civilizing activities concerning the Twa.
UM– USEKE.RW
