Hutus

The Hutu are the largest of the three ethnic groups in Burundi and Rwanda, according to the United States Central Intelligence Agency, 84% of Rwandans and 85% of Burundian are Hutu (CIA Factbook, 2007). The Hutu arrived in Africa and dominated the area until the arrival of the Tutsi. The Tutsi were a Hamitic people who migrated south from what is now Ethiopia, conquering the Hutu kingdoms and establishing dominance over the Hutu and Twa between the 1400s and the 1700s, who already resided there (Wikipedia, 2007). Tutsis moved south from Ethiopia and invaded the homeland of the Hutus. Though much smaller in number, they conquered the Hutus, who agreed to raise crops for them in return for protection. The civil war in Rwanda broke out and resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Tutsis and moderate Hutus. Since the Hutu started the riots and ultimately the war, many fled upon the conclusion fearing retribution. Millions of refugees fled to Zaire and Tanzania. However, even before this occured, a Tutsi king and aristocracy had long dominated the Hutu majority. The Tutsi king limited Hutus’ education and employment (CNN.com, 1996). As a result of all of this, the Hutus are simply seeking indemnity for the crimes they committed, equal rights, freedom, and the ability to achieve whatever they desire.

Reference:

Central Intelligence Agency (2007). The World Factbook. Africa. Retrieved July 14, 2007, from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/.

Wikimedia project, Inc (2007). Wikipedia the online encyclopedia. Hutu. Retrieved July 14, 2007, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutu

CNN.com (1996). Year in review 1996. Retrieved July 14, 2007, from www.cnn.com