Hutu and Tutsi (Heritage Library of African Peoples Central Africa) [Library Binding]

Aimable Twagilimana (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1997 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Heritage Library of African Peoples Central Africa

Surveys the culture, history, and contemporary life of the two groups involved in the tragic civil war in Rwanda, the Hutu and the Tutsi.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 5-9--A Rwandan linguist explains the people of Rwanda and Burundi. He deals primarily with Rwanda, and a large portion of the book (17 pages of 60) concerns Hutu/Tutsi politics and violence since 1959. This emphasis tends to obscure the roots of the problem in the colonial period. Twagilimana accurately stresses that the Hutu, Tutsi (and Twa) share language, religion, and space, with their identities having been somewhat flexible and based on unequal status. He discusses the European colonials' racial stereotypes but does not specify the profound impact of European "scientific" racism, which assumed that Tutsi and Hutu were different "races," with the Hutu born to be forever inferior. Western-educated Africans absorbed this view. Moreover, the Belgians therefore recruited Tutsi to dominate the Church, army, and civil service; most secondary school places went to the Tutsi minority; Hutu kingdoms were "Tutsified"; and changes in land rights benefited the Tutsi. Though the Belgians reversed this policy in the last months of colonial rule, the Hutu majority looked for greater equality in independence, while the Tutsi hoped to cement their privilege. Deadly struggles for political, economic, and physical survival ensued. Though key generalizations are here, the story doesn't come through too clearly. As throughout this series, there are chapters on the arts and religion; the appropriately chosen photographs have useful captions. Given the lack of material on the subject, many libraries will want this book in their collections.

Loretta Kreider Andrews, Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, MD

Copyright 1998 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Library Binding: 64 pages
• Publisher: Rosen Pub Group; 1st edition (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823919994
• ISBN-13: 978-0823919994
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #621,293 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Please read this book!, September 4, 2007

By 

Clara Cuvalay-prentice "C.M.C.Prentice" (Netherlands Antilles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hutu and Tutsi (Heritage Library of African Peoples Central Africa) (Library Binding)

I will recommend this book for read by anyone interested in learning more about the African culture or specifically the Hutu and Tutsis.

1 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great, November 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hutu and Tutsi (Heritage Library of African Peoples Central Africa) (Library Binding)

it gave great info on the Hutu people