Colonial roots of the genocide in Rwanda | DW Documentary

In April 1994, the parents of two-year-old Samuel Ishimwe were murdered in Rwanda. Their fate was shared by up to a million people in the genocide against the country’s Tutsi minority. Thirty years on, Samuel sets out to discover what set these terrible events in motion.
He undertakes a journey from Rwanda to Germany and Belgium, both former colonial powers in the small East African nation. He hopes it will help him to understand the basis for the Hutu majority’s animosity towards the country’s small Tutsi minority. In Rwanda and Europe, Samuel meets with historians and contemporary witnesses. He wants to understand what happened to make people in his homeland turn on each other in such a way. What role was played by the "Hamite hypothesis,” a theory that assigned the Tutsis racial superiority? What’s the story behind all the human skulls taken to Germany from Rwanda more than 100 years ago? And, he asks, are the former colonial powers to blame for the fact that his parents, like so many other Rwandans, had to die? Or do the Rwandans bear the responsibility for the terrible mass murders that occurred between April and July 1994?
Whereas Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda saw themselves as belonging to different social classes, the German colonial rulers who were here from the late 19th century until 1916 defined them along ethnic, racial lines. In the 19th century, many Tutsis were members of an upper class with assets that included valuable cattle. The Hutus, on the other hand, were usually farmers with little or no livestock. For centuries, the kings of Rwanda were Tutsis. The Belgians drove the Germans out of Rwanda in World War One and assumed control of the country until its independence in 1962. These colonial rulers exacerbated the divisions between Hutus and Tutsis, exploiting discord to further their own interests. In the second half of the 1950s, the Belgians withdrew their support for the king and the ruling Tutsi government, facilitating a Hutu power grab. Large numbers of Tutsis came under attack at the time. Hundreds of thousands fled the country.
30 years after the genocide, peace now prevails in Rwanda. President Kagame’s policies have worked to break down adherence to Hutu and Tutsi identities. Does this mean that the country’s dark past and the distrust that long simmered between the groups has now been overcome?
#documentary #dwdocumentary
______
DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch top documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look behind the complexities of daily life and build a deeper understanding of current affairs and global events. Subscribe and explore the world around you with DW Documentary.
Subscribe to:
⮞ DW Documentary (English): / dwdocumentary
⮞ DW Documental (Spanish): / dwdocumental
⮞ DW Documentary وثائقية دي دبليو (Arabic): / dwdocarabia
⮞ DW Doku (German): / dwdoku
⮞ DW Documentary हिन्दी (Hindi): / dwdochindi
For more visit: www.dw.com/en/tv/docfilm/s-3610
Follow DW Documentary on Instagram: / dwdocumentary
Follow DW Documental on Facebook: / dwdocumental
We kindly ask viewers to read and stick to the DW netiquette policy on our channel: p.dw.com/p/MF1G

[@ebenarhin2590]

I'm a Ghanaian and I felt sad watching this.This documentary is a masterpiece.Much love to everyone from Rwanda.

[@GaBlack-wo9vx]

we love you too brother❤

[@sibomanaemmanuel1831]

Thanks 😢

[@bflsceo5854]

Ghana is one of the country's that sent help to rwanda at that time i respect them for that because many more people just watched it unfold and didn't want anything to do with it

[@ageireypaul1585]

Me too

[@johnrizi5978]

We love you all people of Rwanda.

[@6alun1]

I am from kyrgyzstan and i 've been interested in the history of genocide in Rwanda since i was 10 year old . It is such a tragic history to discover.Lessons to be learnt.But I know that nowdays Rwanda is one of the cleanest countries in the world,maybe even the cleanest one.Peace and prosperity to Rwanda from Kyrgyzstan.

[@sleepyjoe7518]

Is there still bride-kidnapping going on in Kyrgyzstan?

[@KeefeL]

​@@sleepyjoe7518part of the culture

[@rocktower7412]

Thank you

[@AR-so6ch]

I was in Rwanda last summer. Kigali is nice and the rich parts are clean. But its nowhere the cleanest country on earth.

[@kiberinkaaline]

Samuel was my classmate at APAPER primary school he was sooo quite but very clever and smart I was always wondering why he was so quite and I am very sad to found out that he is an orphan of genocide, I am glad that he is now successful. ❤

[@vanessamutoni7287]

One of APAPER students here. Love and support ❤️👏🏾 When you choose to define your own history!!!

[@prestonrick5103]

I visited Rwanda for the first time 3 months ago. I was so impressed with the country. The people are friendly and Kigali is very clean. They take pride in the country. I did go to the genocide memorial where 250,000 Rwandans are buried. I knew it would be difficult but I had no idea the experience would be as hard as it was. My Rwandan friend born after the Genocide went with me. He has lost grandparents, aunts and uncles in this terrible genocide. He says his mother still can't even talk about it. She trusts nobody. I was overwhelmed in a room full of skulls with machete marks. I couldn't take it anymore and had to sit and cry for a while before I could continue. This documentary really helped me understand the history. This past weekend was the 30th anniversary of the start of the genocide. I wish Rwanda all the best in healing from this terrible event. Thank you so much for producing this excellent documentary. I knew about the Belgian history but not the German history. I do think an apology is in order!

[@sabinouchou8293]

I'm a burundian woman born and raise in Canada. My parents used to tell me stories about the same territory Burundi Rwanda used to share. Colonial did us wrong but we now have to power to take control of our destiny. What a beautiful documentary!

[@1Surt]

Without Colonialism; you would not be enjoying White Man's Western Civilization, Rwanda would be Haiti/ Somalia/ Liberia in functionality. There would be zero social order, nor functional infrastructure. Even that device & internet you use to post this White Man bashing rubbish was invented, built & gifted to the world by White Men. What have "your people" done to improve the world? Get over yourself and stop being racist.

[@pepeinno9336]

Dear, in Burundi 93, whole families were exterminated while the army and police did nothing to intervene yet the victims were their relatives. In Rwanda 94, a different scenario but on the same pattern: The RPf which was the strongest military in Rwanda on the death of the president, did nothing to fight the genocide, nothing to request international support and even opposed all plans of international intervention. The Ugandan army which had backed RPf could have intervened and the Burundian army was of the same 'ethnicity' as the targets in Rwanda. What happened in Rwanda is similar to a situation in the Jewish holocaust in which the Jews had the strongest military in Germany as was the case with RPf, and Frances' army was totally Jewish and the Polish army had Jewish command and supported the Jewish army in Germany, as was the case for Uganda. Would the Jewish genocide have happened in that case? The answer is obviously, no! Why did it then happen in Rwanda?

[@Strugglin]

Lol

[@1Surt]

Without Colonialism, you would have never known comforts of modern life, nor English language. To claim you were done wrong is disingenuous. Hoping you are back in Burundi or Rwanda, not in White Man's Western Civilization. Ps: Burundi & Rwanda are not getting along at the moment.

[@deder2020]

@@pepeinno9336 lies a lot of survivors were rescued by RPF if RPF didn’t who weren’t strategic could have been left by themselves until the war is done but RPF went and rescued them and RPF wasn’t the strongest military in there, they were UN, France and even the government forces of Rwanda in that time but decided to support the genocide so telling lies and do research

[@glenv8425]

Mr. Ishimwe--- I am watching your film now on live television.......all the way from Puerto Rico in the Caribbean. It is a beautifully made piece, and in it you ask all the right questions while leaving the viewer to ponder some of the possible answers. Such a lovely film.........I am so so sorry for your trauma and for that of your country and I wish you all the best in life...... you did a wondetful job with the film.

[@ThroughBirdEye]

"I'm from India 🇮🇳! Oh, Rwanda, you've endured a challenging past. I have several friends there who lost their parents during those times. But now, you've come together and never looked back! We stand with you, my Rwandan brothers and sisters. 🙏🙏" "I've heard numerous stories about the Rwanda genocide from my friends. Being born in 1995, I deeply empathize with this history. One day, I aspire to visit your country."

[@user-lv1cz7xy1d]

Thank you and welcome to our country

[@in-x-orable2769]

I love me a documentary of Rwanda by a Rwandan. It's like looking at history through the eyes of those who didn't just witness it but who were actively involved in its making.

[@jbmikadom2755]

For those in the comments who seem confused: As Rwandans, we take responsibility for what happen during the genocide against Tustis. However, a full blown genocide takes years or decades of popular conditioning which started with belgians colonisers & the head of catholic church in Rwanda, it continued resulting in 1st anti Tutsis pogroms in 1959, the 60s after independance, 1973, 90,92 & the worst of them all 1994. There is no possible genocide without the backing of a powerful nation (France in our case) &/or the indifference of the world at large (UN, African countries,) in another words. We were left to be eaten alive by the hyenas. Thanks largerly to the RPF, and so much sacrifice from survivors, Rwanda that was condemned to be a failed state is standing tall. We have the most progressive & the most panafricanist leader most Africa would wish for. Rwanda is here to remind you all. Beware of Hyenas amongst ur leaders, a.k.a the corrupt, lazy, opportunistic, short cutters.

[@segbwemabee5757]

Propaganda galore!

[@Elttilitt]

​@@segbwemabee5757Hate galore

[@jothammuthee2090]

Very well put.But l sometime worry about post Kagame Rwanda.l am Kenyan and very proud of the strides Rwanda has made from the ashes of the genocide.

[@waitaminute2015]

What religion are each tribes?

[@Pmooli]

I understand tutsis have all the big positions. It wont work well for long. I bet after Kagame

[@camaradepatrick8389]

as Rwandese, this documentary has taught me about Rwanda more than i leant in 32 years of my existance! well done brother. i dreamt of doing such a documentary and im glad someone brought it to life

[@matsinilsson9578]

As a Rwandese: Do you seriously blame colonialism for your own barbarism? It is time for Africa to evolve.

[@iribagizaglory2265]

This is so so beautiful. Finally, someone can tell our story the right way. Sending love to Samuel and his uncle and auntie, and to his nanny who risked her life to save he and his brother. Indeed, we can live a good life.

[@chukwuebukailozumba3146]

First time learning that despite the tribal nomenclature, the 3 tribes spoke the same language. The ignorant thing about the war was while the thought they were fighting a tribal war, it was actually a class war. Their similarities were so much that the only thing they could use in differentiating each other was the content of their identity document. I must congratulate the people of Rwanda for the heavy strides they made by accepting responsibility for the past and ensuring such evil does not occur again in their future. That is a great feat and I salute you all. The major heroes are those that were able to forgive the known perpetrators all in a bid to leave a better future for their offsprings. How else does one determine a Saint?

[@nwadi6408]

I am an African American woman who has been reading various books on the history of Rwanda including what led to the genocide in 1994. I am extremely grateful for this documentary and for the insight it has provided. Thank you.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!

[@1Surt]

Do tell me what your gender and race have to do with your statement? Could have opened with, 'I have been reading various books ...'. Nope, you had to do the racist thing.

[@QueenJoelle]

@@1Surt Or she can choose her own words and how she wants to present herself😇

[@nbbim2012]

What a harrowing, thoughtful, captivating & beautiful masterpiece- clearly a love letter to your parents, community & country. Well done Samuel. I pray for Rwanda to truly heal & have peace

[@3yesgirl]

When I was limited the narrow vision , the DW takes me to another world. Thank you for the excellent quality of videos.

[@user-nm2de2mv9z]

A well-crafted documentary that combines thorough research, compelling storytelling, and impactful testimonies. Congratulations to Samuel Ishimwe, and may the people of Rwanda continue to overcome challenges and flourish. Sending love and support from Burundi

[@QueenJoelle]

Thank you so much for making this happen. It is so refreshing to see our story being told by a fellow Rwandan. I have always failed to wrap my head around how the hate between brothers, neighbours, and countrymen was pretty much fueled by a made-up story. To this day, when people choose to refer to others by these so-called "ethnic" groups, I wonder if I am the one who is crazy for not seeing it or if they are blind. I loved the last part that emphasised that being Rwandan is so much more than our story about the genocide (even though it is very important and we shall forever remember it). I can't wait to see more people diving into re-educating, re-populising, and simply living in our true heritage of arts, values, and mostly love. You can't imagine how much your work is amazing. Thank you, Sam and the team.

[@thebesthoyame]

So proud of you Samuel. Our mother always told about your mom Julienne she used to regret her a lot and told us how she was a very kind and lovable human. So sorry you will never know her and your dad. But glad to see where you are up to now. Hope your brother Daniel is doing great as well.

[@emmanueltuyishime]

Great work my brother! I love the authenticity of your work, and It was about time for telling our history by us! 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿much love from Canada 🇨🇦.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for watching! :)

[@internationalafricanschool3506]

Best documentary ever. Made by Rwandans themselves. Thank you. Let us continue being our own voice- Not letting others speak for us.

[@katherinesavarese6009]

5:55 it sent a chill up my spine when this woman said that, even 30 years after the genocide, she gets terrified when she sees someone with a machete. I cant imagine the trauma!! Or being able to trust people not to go off the deep end again! Ive never lived through a genocide, but I am an african american and when I was little and learned about american slavery, and how recent and institutionalized it was, it scared me so much that it could easily come BACK. People can be driven to do the most depraved things imaginable as a group. Its terrifying

[@bibivanderveen5455]

Mark you most people carry machetes everywhere in rural areas. She sees this on a daily basis

[@Jerry-jd-_]

@@bibivanderveen5455that’s the crazy part

[@Mutaaga13]

Does that remove the bitter fact that she's scared of machetes? ​@@bibivanderveen5455

[@keniebarry7607]

Thank you for the eye opening documentary, I am from Kenya and I now understand the scope of the division in Rwanda terrible how people easily kill out of hate. May Africans never do each other dirty like this again.

[@BimRen246]

Thank you for taking the time to make this documentary. It was an emotional watch, both sad and beautiful at the same time.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@MSal7]

fresh perspective on this subject that I’ve yet to see in many docs on this topic. Great work and continued blessings for your future film work :)

[@noellanono886]

This is a must watch documentary…it went back to the root cause of what happened to my country. What i saw was just half of history. This one is a masterpiece of them all. Thank you

[@ShannonMarie_aguafiestasvlogs]

This is such an incredible documentary. Thank you for making it and sharing it.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@princesselizabethgarden7556]

The genocide might have roots in the legacy of Belgian colonial rule but ultimately, it was down to Rwandans themselves to bear the responsibility for the genocide, starting with the leaders of Rwanda and then the people themselves.

[@ishimwepascaline8092]

From Kigali ! This is Big Sam keep inspiring Youths and Rwandan community!

[@fp8901]

I've seen three new KZbin hosted documentaries on the Rwandan Genocide, yesterday and today. This may be the best one.

[@QueenJoelle]

The Genocide against the Tutsi, you mean.

[@user-xg7ps7hi6k]

@@QueenJoelle Rwandan genocide because thousands of Hutus and Twa people were also killed by kagame’s rebels who orchestrated the entire massacre

[@sandrineingabire4445]

This is a well done documentary, Thank you very much Mr. Karemangingo Ishimwe Samuel and the whole Team You are a very hard working person like your father 💔❤️‍🩹❤️ Ntibazimye komeza ubeho neza kubwabo👍❤ The whole village is proud of you😘❤

[@muhirwafelix1851]

I'm in Kigali, this is indeed a good documentary, I think from now on people should learn how to live together in harmony, love, united and peacefully, despite their differences

[@user-xg7ps7hi6k]

Talk is cheap. Why are you oppressing the Hutus and Twa people then?

[@TYFashion_cosmetics409]

Several times i think about this,who divided us kweli?the truth is this we are Rwandans,we are the one.

[@norbertndashimye4494]

History captured correctly, powerful story and film beautifully produced. Warakoze Ishimwe Samuel kuzamura ijwi ryawe ukavuga amateka yacu. Dukomere kandi dukomeze dutere imbere! 🇷🇼🇷🇼🇷🇼

[@moiserwibutso4899]

Such a well done and informative documentary film. Good job Samuel and Mathias

[@PierreJJ.]

As a Rwandan, I must first establish my background. I am a Tutsi from Belgium, belonging to the clans of Abega on my father's side and Abanyiginya on my maternal side. However, in most African cultures, we primarily identify with our father's lineage. It's essential to provide factual historical and scientific context, which we traditionally acquired through oral storytelling, but is now supported by genetics. Before colonial times, Rwanda and Burundi were kingdoms ruled by a pastoralist aristocracy. This regional landscape extended across Northwestern Tanzania in Kagera, the Ankole Hima Region in Uganda, significant parts of Burundi, and Eastern Congo. Addressing the notion of Tutsis being merely a caste, and Hutus another, is fundamentally incorrect. We coexist and have shared this country for generations. However, asserting that we are the same is akin to suggesting that a Kikuyu Kenyan and a Borana Kenyan are identical, just belonging to different social castes, which anyone can transition between. Such claims are baseless and misleading. Tutsis are predominantly Southern Cushitic cattle herders of the Great Lakes region, closely related to other Cushitic groups like the Borana Oromo, Somalis, Nilotic-speaking Maasai with Cushitic admixture, Datooga, Samburu, and Rendille across Eastern Africa. Over time, we adopted a Bantu language from the agriculturalists in the regions we settled, forming a type of vassal state or feudalism which later was exploited by the colonial powers as the classic divide and conquer tactic straight out from the playbook . Despite some intermixing, less among upper-crust clans, we remain predominantly Cushitic genetically. ( haplogroup designation is E1b1b) Today, the newer generations of Rwandans, especially those with parents from both sides, hold the potential to become a unifying force, fostering trust and erasing divisions. However, denying our distinct identities is unnecessary. A comparison between individuals like Naomie Nishimwe and Solange Tuyishime or leaders like Paul Kagame and Juvenal Habyarimana you don't need a Phd in geneology and phenotypes to understand that we are two totally distinct ethnic groups with two very different origins. One came through the larger Bantu Expansion from West Central Africa, and us Tutsis came from North East. Check out Sage.Nomad on KZbin for genetic breakdowns on Tutsis.

[@Syomiti]

🎯💯❗

[@jacquelynebrown1382]

The entire Africa population is of Africa is obviously not the same.What is the commonality besides being African? How many ethic groups reside and coexist on the continent?

[@lockethomas7165]

When Europe is in war a European will make a tank out of household waste. When Africa is in a war, they blame the Europeans.

[@trackmonger]

This was my original point. Just because we are Africans of different genetic origins does not mean we can't live in peace. If we choose not to, we cannot blame Europeans for it.

[@Inzira155]

I am a Munyarwanda Tutsi from Bazigaba clan and i do not agree with you. We are Bantu maybe Abega are southern cushites but not all of us. Infact the majority of tutsi are Bantu Y dna check any study. You mentioned oral history and did not consider it can be easily influenced by the fact most of the old generation was educated by missionaries and their hamitic theories. Thirdly i have less in common with the Iraqw culturally than the Zulu and Luba. Infact even among the Abega Y dna E1b1a and its subclades is probably the largest. Lastly the current president of Rwanda is Ega too but speculated to be E1b1a1 because of tests taken by close male relatives of his by FTDNA.

[@GaBlack-wo9vx]

Thank you Sam for this great documentary🙏

[@elodienancynishimwe9095]

Bravo Samuel and the rest of the your team good documentary 👏👏

[@ndahiroderrickalter2912]

Mr .Ishimwe thank you for compiling this masterpiece of Rwanda’s history.. Blessings

[@samanthatwinomugisha2391]

Sam this is such a sensitive documentary. I believe it must have taken courage to carry out these interviews with these people and coming to terms with these facts that we were divided till date. I think you’ve opened up some kind of movement coz this is the most enriched documentary I’ve come across so plain. This is closure for many 👏

[@ValleyCrest6]

A very well-done documentary. Thank you for all the effort and research you put into the making of it. I'm sorry for the loss of your parents and other family members during the genocide. God Bless you and yours.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment.

[@verablau]

This is such an important documentary….for all human beings, regardless of their nationaliy…healing through forgiveness is the universal message….thank you from Germany…

[@davidukwishaka8641]

What a nice documentary!, thank you Samuel Nishimwe for the efforts to document Rwandan History

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@carmenmugeni3047]

I came here not knowing I was watching a family member. Amelia was (is) my bestfriend growing up! This just brought me to tears. Thank you for work! Thank you! T❤ Nenela.

[@strappaplank6017]

a fantastic documentary that Samuel and all involved should be very proud of

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching!

[@user-mp8xn4zm4u]

Thanks bro for putting this on air,let no one tell a wrong story yet we’re the ones who lived it. Can always bring clarity to inform the public so they can have a good perspective of what really happened other than distortion from haters❤❤❤.One love banyarwanda❤.

[@sukantimamusic]

Excellent work of shedding light on the genesis. Also, your approach, questions...really to be applauded. Sad and humbling history, never again.

[@alberuda]

The Best Documentary about Rwanda from the beginning to colonial to genocide to the rebirth of a nation

[@abbassaquee286]

Thanks brother for the documents it gave an understanding from someone who knows what really happened during horrible time and what took place during dark days of 94 and it's fresh in my head like it was yesterday and I am even a Rwandan but as an African I can identify with what went on because I lived through the war in Liberia.

[@arbaz79]

Thank you DW for this informative documentary 👍. I always wanted to know about the Rwandan genocide.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@Smukasi]

Great piece of work Sam. I have watched numerous documentaries on the Rwandan genocide and i must say this has taken the number one spot. It captures Primary, Secondary and Tertiary information making it easier to understand. Bravo

[@ndahiroderrickalter2912]

The 1994 Genocide against Tutsi

[@user-xg7ps7hi6k]

@@ndahiroderrickalter2912 Rwanda genocide because Hutus and Twa people were also killed by kagame’s rebels who orchestrated the massacre

[@mashobane6177]

​@@user-xg7ps7hi6k The Hutus are the ones that were treated better by Germans?

[@lukemuga434]

​@@mashobane6177 No, it was the Tutsi that were given preferential treatment

[@Selfmadexiiiv]

Good job Samuel , this documentary is a master peice👌

[@fabricekabs]

A master piece Ishimwe Thank you

[@nicoledonald3858]

Loved watching, and the people who participated were very informative too

[@ndehornella6540]

Very touching documentary. These events were really a sad phase in Rwanda's history. It takes a lot of bravery to keep looking foward after all these, I commend the rwandans for that. Thanks for a well filmed documentary !

[@__SKYNET__]

Amazing Documentary, Such a tragic situation that should not have happened and could have been avoided

[@gkarumbi]

This is some great journalist, Great work by Samuel.

[@dianeishimwe1037]

What a nice documentary! well done Sam , the last time I saw you was in primary school at APAPER. You were my classmate . You became a very nice filmmaker. Keep it up

[@gaellakaligirwa]

Thank you Sam ❤

[@mwadjumamukamfizi2216]

Great job brother that was a lot research and to be able to access those those info in museums 👏🏾👏🏾Nibyo mama!!it's hard to heal yourself 🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️our history and beligium🤦🏾‍♀️

[@naaayorkoryemoh]

First time I heard about this was in my sociology class last year, I was deeply interested in the story but couldn't connect much Thank God for you, today I can hear the story and appreciate it even better than before!❤

[@2placsmook]

I studied with Samuel at Apaper primary, I also new the footage at stade Amahoro, I didnt know it was him. I am so sorry for his loss! A wonderful professional documentary.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for watching and taking the time to comment. Best, The DW Documentary Team

[@user-ji6lh6tm4m]

you make the best documentary films

[@PaulA-px4kx]

Thank you for sharing through this excellent film - love to Rwanda and a brighter future for you all ❤

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching!

[@jaymeskuriah]

This documentary serves as a reminder of why we need to reflect on the past in order to pursue a better future....We are all human beings; let's be humane

[@ombeninsanzanzamahoro3905]

Excellent job, keep it up. The truth starting being reveal

[@Kangabe_]

This is such a well thought out production, thank you for sharing your story and perspective on how we can reclaim our history.

[@Txao]

So touched by this. Take care a sister from Angola

[@olivieriradukunda9918]

Great documentary! I believe in research ❤

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching and for the feedback!

[@arianekaligirwa5952]

Thank you Sam! This is an inspiring journey that you took to discover the root causes of genocide against the Tutsi 1994. I learnt so much from your findings!

[@dovtskyvladixir3238]

I'm so sad right now to see these beautiful souls and what they went through. Love from south africa ❤

[@josamuki]

The singer/music is so soulful. Such a beautiful sound.

[@damarmuhammad8951]

Do you know the name of the song

[@Karahalios1]

Beautiful work Sam. I was there in the summer of '94 working as cameraman for a Greek tv network. For sure I cry more than you😊.

[@YT-xk5jl]

You Europeans could never cry fur Africans,, who are you kidding here

[@amotaba]

excellent doc

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you for your comment!

[@aimeekeza8666]

This really says it all😢 Rwanda went through so much.

[@katherinesavarese6009]

12:09 this part was deep 😢😢😢😢 What a horrible predicament. To be trying to stop a genocide, but being (rightfully) accused of being part of a group that was/is guilty of genocide 😢🙏

[@funnyman12731]

Refreshing! Thank you brother 🙏 and I pray you find solace in your heart. May Allah grant your parents the highest of paradise and all the departed soul's. 🎉

[@HopeBridges-sm8vx]

The best documentary ever about Our history thank you Sam , not just Rwandans 🇷🇼 but also anyone from Africa need to learn from it, there is nothing good comes from I’m Ethnicity it only brings division. You think or talk about development of our countries the only way is unity. Don’t feel special or you are better than anyone nooo.. we are all humans and we will die once .and I think before we Love or think about Africa being united you need to start from people around you , love your neighbors start from your community, country … 👌👌💪💪💪

[@princessugwu1998]

Anyone outside Africa that said it has nothing to do with king Leopold ii of Belgium must be joking,i don't entirely blame colonial rulers but africans hating on each other till this day and age is the root problem, because we are not united our mind can easily be corrupted by hatred for certain group of people to the extent of doing horrendous things which is unjustifiable

[@YT-xk5jl]

Rwandans lived peacefully together before Colonization . There may have been tension but both groups coexisted well together.

[@vigezo]

I think the existence of separation/classes between the 2 was there before colonialism, simply the colonialist made it to work for their advantage(devide and rule)

[@PierreJJ.]

Correct

[@jacquelynebrown1382]

Again, The main purpose international colonialism was to created internal chaos among primitive governments, self-incentivism thru disingenuous trade agreement, over-reaching, believe system, missionary and religion warfare. Then forced military warfare

[@elt7219]

Once they have a so called minority, they manipulate them so they can influence the majority to do anything they want. The west still use the same tactic to this day.

[@indemarugambarobert1632]

STOP LYING.

[@moseskato8413]

Yeah just like they’re doing in Congo

[@alinempinga7403]

Great documentary i hope the conversations will continue to help survivors and the whole african countries unfortunately history reapeat itself when we so not learn from past mistakes

[@user-ic7up5ug3m]

Thanks😢❤

[@Maria-kt7bf]

Thank you.

[@armelnsengimana8723]

What a fantastic documentary! Love from Burundi 🇧🇮! I Hope the evil hate speeches that are trying to resurface will be squashed by the knoweldge of the Truth. Thank you to go down deeper to the root causes of this issue. God bless the brave Rwandan peoples for embracing reconciliation in such a wonderful fashion. The potential of love in man far outweighs the latent evil in the same man.

[@22_SamHassy-Union]

Before colonialism, African tribes were already annihilating ourselves. We love to blame everyone except our own choices, just to elude responsibility taking.

[@Africankingson]

according to you which African tribes were genociding others in precolonial Africa , apart of just confrontations which humans tribes all over the world have always done since dawn of time.

[@michellekabanga3612]

Stayed

[@YT-xk5jl]

Speak for yourself. I am African and my ppl were never unaliving ourselves. Also one thing ignorant Africans fail to realize is that when we did fight amongst ourselves before colonization, it was for survival (resources) and not because we were taught to hate each other and see the other as evil, which is the exact case here. The Hutus were taught that the Tutsis were a representation it extension of Colonialism which they hated. And the Tutsis were taught and conditioned to believe that they were closer in terms of superiority to Europeans and the Hutus were beneath them.

[@Africankingson]

@@YT-xk5jl as a person from Rwanda I agree

[@JustMe-zk9dc]

So the tale is the Rwandans genocide is because the Belgium’s told them to do so. Didn’t Rwandans have a will of their own. Colonialism is the magic word in Africans to excuse their own failings.

[@alephmale3171]

So the tale is the Woman got raped because the man forced her to have sex at gun point? Did she not have a will of her own? Rape is the magic word in women to excuse their own failings. (That's how you sound.)

[@TheoOosthuizen-xs2nq]

Definitely, the irony is that they don't see that narrative also belittle's black people and makes them seem incapable of making their own decisions. I wonder, was WW2 because of Attila the Hun?

[@arieldade4365]

Wrong

[@TheoOosthuizen-xs2nq]

@@arieldade4365 Prove it.

[@harrisleif7871]

Belgians appointed one group to supervise forced labour on the other group? Colonialism means exaclty that... no will? Give us another colony which had a say in how it was colonized.

[@eugenea7886]

Great film. The presenter does a wonderful, thorough job. We look towards a promising future.

[@user-qn2om7qp8l]

This is such an amazing documentary. Divisions based on one's ethnic origin are the product of bad politics. I am Rwandan and a mixed race person like the guy who published the book in the last part of the video. I wish i could get a copy of the book because it must reflect my reality as well. Those of us whose parents belong to both ethnicities have experienced so much suffering as many other Rwandans. It has never been easy for us,we have stories to tell and want to be heard.

[@manishdeli]

I'm Ugandan, a mufumbira by tribe, I speak Rufumbira/Kinyarwanda, but when I read & listen to this documentary, tears flow in my eyes. What really this thing colonialism was? Why did it exist?😭

[@acespark2894]

We African don't take responsibility for anything. We act like we were one homogeneous community rather than warring communities. It's always other people fault

[@YT-xk5jl]

Who is the we? Speak for yourself. As an African my people never fought each other. You must speak for yourself only and leave all Africans out of that racist supremacist idea. Besides even if that were the case, does it undermine Belgium and Germany’s obvious major role in the exacerbation of the tension amongst the two ethnic groups? These Europeans saw that tension and they fed off of it, they exacerbated it, that’s a fact.

[@CAM8689]

@@YT-xk5jl they exacerbated what already existed in a major way.....

[@denisek3383]

Thank you DW for the documentary and thanks to a lot of commentators here. To me this was very informative and insightful.

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks a lot for watching and for your positive feedback. We appreciate you taking the time to comment and are glad you like our content!

[@MaColline4321]

wow! this is encredible

[@alexgoslar4057]

A beautiful film with very sad content.

[@nelsonijumba7332]

Very moving documentary. Well done to the film maker. A must watch for all in Rwanda and beyond. The subtitles are very small and disappearing quickly. Very difficult to read when the background is not dark

[@DWDocumentary]

Thank you very much for your feedback!

[@chrism5159]

Great documentary , proud of my country Rwanda. and kudos to this Guy

[@DWDocumentary]

Thanks for watching and for the feedback!

[@brittrucker7218]

Fantastic documentary. All of us all over the world are the same and only greed seperates us.

[@phionaahhh]

I am from Rwanda and I’m urging you to use the right words. It is not the genocide in Rwanda, it is the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Thank you

[@PaulKagameSpeeches]

Why are you so hypocritical? This story was told by a Rwandan survivor, very smart and mature, unlike you. (I've watched all of your content, I know the level of research and energy you put into your films and vlogs. Your ideas are too poor.) He told the truth 100%, unlike Victoria Uwonkunda. She was afraid to mention her family, but Samu did mention not all Hutus are genocidaires. We know that Hutus also died, and you know that, my dear. (The population of Rwanda was 7 million; only 14 percent were Tutsi, nearly a million. And we have more than a million bodies and still finding more buried underground. Open your eyes, my dear. Don't get stuck on just a slip of the tongue. Naming isn't going to change what happened, but recognizing millions of Hutu orphans and widows is the only way of healing this wound. (Growing up, I was told my father was killed, and I knew who killed him. He was wandering around. Don't get confused, my dear. My father was a teacher, not an interahamwe or a political figure. He saved lives; he didn't take any. But he was killed later as a young kid. I didn't care about anything, but looking at how these people on Twitter call everyone interahamwe, even the young generation, got me to this point that I not afraid of speaking out, not afraid of being canceled or jailed . I am depressed.) My point is we need to stop this Tutsi-Hutu thing, forgive and forget what happened; otherwise, we are touching wounds that were already healed. We are making them new. Phiona, do you know how many Hutus died in DRC in 1996? Do you read? Did you mean to ask your friends where their fathers are? I mean those who are not in FARG and AERG. (I am not a genocide denier. Genocide has happened, and it has taken millions of Tutsi lives. Tutsis were the target group, and the mission was to eliminate them. We know. But let's at least take time and remember those Hutus who gave their lives to save, like Sam's story. Let's remember those doctors, nurses, and teachers, I mean those innocent educated Hutus who were killed after the genocide, and even those who were killed by cholera. They didn't deserve that

[@user-xg7ps7hi6k]

Both Hutus and Twa were also killed by kagame’s rebels and therefore,it’s a rwandan genocide. Have respect for your other countrymen

[@lukemuga434]

​@@PaulKagameSpeeches perfect response on the insistence of calling it genocide against tutsi

[@Riversong2024]

Thank you for posting this.. does anyone know the name of the musician at 20:30?

[@hozayves]

Sophie nzayisenga

[@Riversong2024]

Thank you, she’s amazing.

[@damarmuhammad8951]

What is the name of the song it is great

[@lusimyer]

I love the song at the opening of the documentary.

[@blackhibiscus1876]

Thank you Ishimwe. Thank you DW for confronting uncomfortable truths.

[@reverienfilskiruzi6504]

I love the authenticity in this masterpiece. Sending hugs to Samuel, his uncle and aunty, especially his nanny, she is a living hero.

[@MZRUSCKUTA]

I love Rwanda 🇷🇼 from Somalia 🇸🇴 wish my country followed the footsteps of Rwanda after civil war. Can anyone tell that beautiful lady’s song name so sweet

[@damarmuhammad8951]

I would to know too