UCLA

The 1994 genocide in Rwanda claimed close to a million lives leaving behind thousands of

orphans, widows and a traumatized population. Families that once lived, worked, and prayed

together turned against each, using machettes, hoes, and sometimes guns. Places of worship

easily turned into slaughter houses and up to date, some churches and different places of worship

are genocide museums. Tutsi families were particularly targeted although Hutu-Tutsi

sympathizers were also killed. Rwanda’s challenge today is rebuilding the nation and reuniting

people once again. The government of Rwanda has focused on allowing Rwandese to tell their

stories of survival and of betrayal. Through testimony sharing, both perpetrators and victims

have re-united and have become neighbors again. This thesis therefore will attempt to discuss the

role of memory in uniting the once divided Rwandese.