 The tiny landlocked East African nation of Rwanda was once a destination for many people seeking a peaceful encounter with the natural wonders of the continent. For centuries, the Tutsi tribe (an extremely tall people) dominated the Hutu, who composed 90 percent of the population. In 1959, a civil war erupted and many of the Tutsi were forced into exile. The country's present-day strife is primarily a continuation of this ongoing ethnic struggle. Although Swahili is widely used, many names in Rwanda reflect the influences of many years of Belgian rule as well as the dominant Kinyarwanda language. This is evident, for example, in the names of Prime Minister Pierre Claver Rwigema and President Pasteur Bizimungu. |
