History and Citizenship

Unit 12: IDENTIFY ONESELF DIFFERENTLY IN REFERENCE TO RWANDA

Activity 12.1 

In Rwanda, one can identify himself/herself by: 

• Name 

• Gender 

• Age 

• Province he/she comes from 

1. Draw a table with four columns showing the four forms of identity. 

2. Find out, from your classmates, who else you share more than three forms of identity with.

Forms of identities in Rwanda

Rwandans can be identified by any of the following particulars: 

• Name 

• Religion

 • Gender 

• Clans 

• Age 

• Family 

• Province 

• Self 

• Nationality 

• Social 

Identity by name

A Rwandan can be named according to:

• Order of birth, for example, Niwempfura 

• Circumstances under which one is born, for example, Mahoro, Ntambara and Rugamba 

• Religious connotations, for example, Cyubahiro, Ishimwe, Ikuzo and Ineza 

Identity by gender

Rwandans identify themselves according to gender, either male or female.

Identity by age

This is in regard to date of birth. Rwandans change titles every time they leave one age stage to another. 

Activity 12.2

Look at the table below. 

1. Write down the title given to a boy child. 

2. Give the title given to a female youth. 

3. Identify who is given the title umukecuru.

Identity by province 

A Rwandan born in Rwanda originates from one of the five provinces of Rwanda. These are Kigali City, Northern Province, Southern Province, Western Province and Eastern Province. 

Identity by nationality 

A person is Rwandan by birth if both or one of the parents is Rwandan. A person can also be Rwandan by naturalisation or through adoption. 

A spouse who is not Rwandan, upon application, is entitled to Rwandan nationality. Rwandans returning from any countries of asylum and their children are natural citizens. This includes children who were born while in asylum. 

Identity by religion

We all belong to a certain religion. We may be Christians, Muslims, Hindus or traditionalists. Through our different religions, we all worship God. 

Identity by clans 

Each one of us can be identified by our clans. You may belong to Abega, Abanyinginya, Abasinga, Abagesera among others. 

Identity by family

 Any Rwandan can identify himself or herself using the family he or she is born in. That is why you carry the same surname as your father or guardian.

Self identity

The unique characteristics each one of us has makes us be differentiated from others. These may include physical features such as birth marks or inherent features such as tonal variation and colour of the eyes or skin.

Social identity

 We all belong to the larger human society regardless of our age, gender and status. Differences between identities

(i) Differences in names: Our names are different, except in isolated cases. In most instances, we acquire names depending on the season when we were born, or people, places or animals we are named after.

(ii) Differences in gender: Each one of us belongs to one of the two genders: male or female.

(iii) Differences in age: People are oftenly categorised as children, youth or adults.

(iv)Differences by province: We come from different provinces. Some come from Eastern province, Western province, Southern province, Northern province while others come from Kigali province.

 (v) Religious differences: There are many types of religions practiced in Rwanda. These religions include Christianity, Islam, Hindu and traditionalism. Each one of us is differentiated from the other by religious beliefs and affiliations. Religious differences are further present in Christianity, where some people are Catholics, Adventists while others are Protestants. Even in Islam some are Shia and others Suni.

 (vi) Differences in clans: This is another distinguishing factor among Banyarawanda where by people belong to different clans like Abanyiginya, Abasinga, Abega, Abagesera and Abashingwe. They are these clans that constitute the larger Rwanda society.

Activity 12.3

Explain other differences among Rwandans in terms of family, self and social status.

Similarities between identities

(i)   We all belong to one of the five provinces of Rwanda.

(ii)   Each one of us has a name.

(iii)   All of us belong to either of the two genders: male or female.

(iv)   All of us can be categorised into one of the three basic stages of life based on age, that is, either a child, a youth or an adult.

(v) All of us belong to one country, Rwanda.

Remember!

Basically there are no differences among Rwandans based on identities. There is a similarity that cuts across all Rwandans, that is, ‘NDI UMUNYARWANDA.’ This cuts across all regardless of provincial origin, gender, age and name.

Roles of identities

Identifying oneself as Rwandan is of great importance.

(i)  It gives one a sense of belonging and pride of being identified as Rwandan.

(ii) It creates and strengthens the spirit of patriotism among Rwandans. This especially applies to those who grew outside the country.

(iii) Identifying one as Rwandan is a bond of togetherness among people especially among the youth. For example, the Makerere University Banyarwanda Students’ Association (MUBSA).

(iv) Identity helps people to keep the values of Rwanda as a nation. Examples of such values are self-reliance, dignity and anti-corruption.

(v)  Identity creates self-appreciation and hard work towards achievement of common goals of development for the nation. For example, Umuganda and contribution to the Agaciro Development Fund.

Importance of living together in harmony

Activity 12.4

1. List four values you that have shared or borrowed from your classmates.

2. Explain one difficult situation which your friends or one of them has helped you get out of.

Harmony means peaceful co-existence among people from different backgrounds. These people could be from our school, neighbourhood and the country at large.

It is very important for people to live in harmony. The following are some of the importance of living together in harmony:

 • Living together in harmony enables sharing of knowledge and skills among people. For example, students at school can share knowledge.

• It also enables people to live and work together to achieve common goals.

• It helps to avoid social strife and struggle among people of a given society or country.

• Harmony creates happiness among people. No one will harbour ill will towards other person. For instance, Muslims, Christians and non– believers respect each other.

• It promotes socio-cultural activities such as communal work (Umuganda), inter-clan as well as cross religious marriages.

• It breeds a spirit of close cooperation among neighbours in times of need. People come together to help the needy. For example, constructing homes for the genocide survivors, bye-bye nyakatsi and constructing schools.

• It prevents political chaos and armed resistance as is common in many parts of Africa.

• Harmony is the foundation of self-reliance and independence among nations. It builds a strong spirit of patriotism as it has done in Rwanda.

• Harmony leads to economic and social development of a country. This includes development of infrastructure, education, trade and commerce.

Remember!

Having friends at school is a clear indication of living together in harmony.

What we have learnt

Rwandans identify themselves using different particulars such as age, gender and province of origin. of importance is that irrespective of all that, they are all Rwandans, ‘NDI UMUNYARWANDA’. This has helped people in Rwanda to co-exist peacefully.

As a Rwandan, it is always important to uphold peace and moral values of the Rwandan society. The moral values include self-reliance and dignity, anti–corruption, hard work irrespective of gender. An example is the 64% women representation in Rwanda’s parliament.

Revision questions
 1.  Define the term ‘identity’.
2. Explain how one can identify themselves in relation to the Rwandan society.
3. Discuss the importance of peaceful co-existence among Rwandans.
4.  Describe the role of identities among Rwandans.