Becoming “Historically Marginalized Peoples”: examining Twa perceptions of boundary shifting and re-categorization in post-genocide Rwanda

Debating the identity and indigeneity of the Batwa in post-genocide Rwanda: a review of the challenges and prospects from a human rights perspective

“…Although the monarchy in Rwanda disappeared, the Batwa were and are still believed to be among the best cult-musicians. The recent study by Collins et al (2021, p. 12) confirms that many Batwa are still a pride of their identity and artistic ingenuity in composing traditional songs and dance referred to as “intwatwa [describing something related to the Batwa]” with a specific genre of its kind. Besides, pottery is the traditional occupation of the Batwa.…”

“…This is because their position is precarious (Abbott et al, 2012; Musilikare, 2015; Sena y’u Rwanda, 2018). Since the Batwa are not consulted in policies designed to address their socio-cultural issues, this has led to their persistent vulnerability as their voices are never heard (Collins et al, 2021).…”

“…Even though recent studies by Collins et al (2021) and Ndahinda (2011) indicate that the ordinary Batwa seem to align with the governmental discourse of all people united under one nation, the Batwa elite are still bent on pressurizing government to identify them as an Indigenous people even if this status continues to be rejected by GoR (Ministry of Justice, 2004;Ministry of Local Government, 2004). It should be argued that the Batwa fulfil the criteria of being classified as one of Rwanda's Indigenous communities.…”

“…In fact, Rwanda’s post-genocide government does not subscribe to the above ethnic classification given that the latter is one of the factors that contributed to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi (Kabwete, 2002; Kanimba Misago, 2016). In justifying its position, GoR outlawed any official documentation that historically depicts the Twa, Hutu or Tutsi as the three cardinal ethnic groups of Rwanda (Collins et al, 2021; Ellmauer, 2018; Hartley, 2015). In this connection, since 2005, GoR chose to replace the name Batwa with historically marginalized people (HMP).…”

“…Recent studies on the above subject indicate that the failure of the social protection programmes in bringing about positive change and impact on the ex-Batwa is linked to the lack of participation by the Batwa in government policy processes (Collins et al, 2021; Dawson, 2018; Laws et al, 2019). Consequently, the Batwa have ended up performing poorly in the fields of socio-economic rights and welfare.…”