The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi
Primary 6 · Social and Religious Studies
The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi
Lesson 4 of 5
20 min
Let's begin
On the evening of 7 April, Keza's family joins their neighbours for a commemoration gathering. They sit quietly and listen as a survivor shares her story.
At the end, everyone holds up a small light. Nobody speaks. Keza holds her mother's hand.
Today you will learn how and why Rwanda remembers.
Kwibuka is Kinyarwanda for "to remember". Every year, commemoration begins on 7 April, the day the Genocide against the Tutsi began in 1994.
The first week is a week of national mourning. The commemoration period then continues for 100 days, the same length as the Genocide against the Tutsi itself. Kwibuka invites everyone to remember the victims, unite as one people, and renew the country together.
There are memorials across Rwanda where victims are laid to rest with dignity. The Kigali Genocide Memorial at Gisozi is the final resting place of more than 250,000 victims.
In 2023, UNESCO added four memorial sites, Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero, to its World Heritage List, so that the whole world will remember.
Many survivors lost their families. Some feel deep sadness, especially in April. You can help by being kind, listening, including them, and never making jokes about their pain. IBUKA, the umbrella organisation of survivors' associations, works for survivors all year round.
Tip
Remember, Unite, Renew
We remember the victims. We unite as one people. We renew, building a better Rwanda together.
Answer each one, then tap Show answer to check.
What does Kwibuka mean?
Answer: to remember.
On what date does commemoration begin each year?
Answer: 7 April.
Why does the commemoration period last 100 days?
Answer: because the genocide lasted about 100 days.
Give two ways to show respect at a memorial site.
Answer: any two of: be quiet, listen, follow the guide, do not play or laugh, do not take photos where it is not allowed, respect survivors.
What you learned today
Sources and credits
Quick check
Remember, Unite, Renew. Match each word to what we do.
Tap one on the left, then its partner on the right.
