The Rwandan Genocide was a genocidal mass slaughter of the Tutsis by the Hutus that took place in 1994 in the East African state of Rwanda. It is considered the best organized genocide of the 20th century. Over the course of approximately 100 days over 500,000 people were killed, according to a Human Rights Watch estimate. Estimates of the death toll have ranged from 500,000–1,000,000, or as 20% of the country’s total population. There are about eight Genocide Memorial sites in Rwanda as a result of the 1994 war and these places were put in place to actually commemorate this dangerous Genocide war. Among the renowned Genocide sites in this country are:
Kigali genocide memorial
Once you’re at this place you meditate and reflect on some of the country’s darkest moments and gain insight into an integral part of recent national history at Kigali Genocide Memorial. The final resting place for over 250,000 victims. The memorial center commemorates those slaughtered in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. You’ll learn the political and sociological landscape of Rwanda during the build-up to the genocide of the Tutsi people, along with details of the atrocity itself through audio-visual tours, survivor testimonies, human remains, and artifacts.
Murambi Genocide Memorial site:
It’s acknowledged that about to 2700 individuals were slaughtered at this school. Since this genocide ended, this place was deserted and the natives settled in others places. Several corpses up to date are being preserved and no one is permitted to distract these sites. Due to the fast developing tourism industry in Rwanda, this school has been refurbished and is currently an exhibition. The Tourists that have visited this area also get free information regarding the intriguing history of the country. Other than the displays of corpses, there are also preserved burial-rooms in which tourists can also have clear views. You will be guided around by some of the survivors who will narrate to you their disheartening experience. A single mass grave was dug and here the victims were given a decent burial.
Gisozi Memorial site
The memorial was officially opened on the 10th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide on the 7 April 2004 genocide; a burial site built to honour the 250,000 Tutsi’s who were killed during the genocide. The planning and management was handled by the UK based charity organization known as Aegis trust in collaboration with the Kigali High Council. This place is located in Gasabo district close to Kigali city.
The memorial site is recognized to be where most of skeleton the Tutsi victims were actually slaughtered by Hutus, however in 2000, the victims from both tribes were buried within the same area. Later in 2004, Gisozi turned into a tourism center with approximately 300,000 people buried there. This Gisozi Memorial site features a display house, a library, a cemetery and a photo gallery.
Gisenyi Memorial site
Gisenyi memorial site is located in Gisenyi peripheries. Approximately 12000 remains of victims killed in the 1994 genocide are kept here. It’s recognized as the very first memorial site established through the help of Ibuka. The ministry of youth, sports & culture in addition made a very great contribution. The Bodies buried at this site were collected from Nyundo and the area of Corniche. In addition madame Carr’s grave is as well found in this area; she was an American who managed the Imbabazi orphanage.
Nyamata memorial site
This memorial site is located in Bugesera district. Before the genocide, this was a church, however during the war approximately 2500 people had gone to take refuge in this church where they were killed. It is approximately 35kms from Kigali city. Today the church continues to be in place as a memento of the 1994 Genocide. Beside the church is a large underground crypt. It is totally filled with thousands of skulls, femurs and other bones belonging to the 45,000 people that were so savagely murdered. There are crude wooden coffins filled with bones of whole families (as best they could tell), all draped in purple covers.
Bisesero Memorial site
The site is located in Karongi district on the lower slopes of Kibuye region in western Rwanda. It is supposed that approximately 30,000 people were killed in this region. They were presented by the French soldiers because of their braveness and the opposition they displayed. This was the place of the Tutsis as they organized to stand up against the Massacre. Due to their weak weapons, most of them were murdered by the Hutus. The Bisesero Memorial site is comprised of nine small structures which symbolize the nine communities which initially formed the kibuye region. Today the site is referred to as Hill of Resistance because of the brave resistance exhibited by the Bisesero people against their opponents.
Nyarubuye Memorial Site
This memorial site was recognized as a convent as well as a school in which approximately 20000 people were man-slaughtered and even buried. Several Tutsis were brutally killed as they attempted to escape to Tanzania. The Remains were reserved inside the convent for memorial and in 2003 the school was renovated and presently operating with a number of students.
Nyanza Memorial Site
There was a school in Nyanza called ETO governed by the UN. These UN officials had come to provide security to the Rwandese before the genocide. As soon as the war began, they returned to their country and all the individuals who had come for refuge here were killed since there wasn’t any assistance from UN. Most of the people were actually Tutsis and just a couple of Hutus. Each year on 11th April, a memorial ritual is conducted to commemorate the victims of this cold blood murder.
Ntarama Memorial site
This genocide site is located about 30 kilometers from Kigali in Bugesera. It is an hour drive from the capital Kigali city. Approximately 5000 people were murdered within the church in the war. Several People had gone to seek refuge there since it was the sole safe place to be. Several people were murdered mostly women and children. Since the genocide, this church was not tampered with and today it is a display site. The site of a grisly event from 1994, Ntarama Church now serves as a museum dedicated to honoring the lives of 5,000 people killed in the building. Inside, you can view displays containing the clothing and other items that once belonged to the genocide victims.