Social Cohesion and Hindrances to Dignity and Self-Reliance in Rwandan Society
Senior 2 · History
Social Cohesion and Hindrances to Dignity and Self-Reliance in Rwandan Society
Lesson 2 of 4
20 min
Social cohesion does not happen by itself. It is built by shared values and fair institutions, and it can be damaged by injustice and hatred. Knowing both lists helps you understand what to protect and what to fight.
Question: Explain how umuganda promotes social cohesion.
Once a month, neighbours of every background work side by side on a shared project, such as a road, a classroom or a house for a vulnerable family. Working together builds familiarity and trust, the project benefits everyone, and the meeting afterwards gives everyone a voice in local decisions. People who build together learn to see each other as members of one community.
Tip
Exam technique: for "factors and challenges" questions, pair them. For every factor you name, show the challenge it answers: Gacaca answered the need for justice; Ndi Umunyarwanda answers division; Girinka and Ubudehe answer poverty.
Name three home-grown solutions that promote social cohesion.
Solution. Any three of: umuganda, Abunzi, Ubudehe, Girinka, Umushyikirano, Gacaca, Imihigo.
What were the Gacaca courts, and when did they operate?
Solution. Community courts that tried genocide cases from 2002 to 2012, establishing truth and encouraging confession and forgiveness.
Why is false information on social media a challenge to social cohesion?
Solution. It spreads quickly, can stir up fear and hatred between groups, and can carry genocide ideology or denial to many people.
Pair one challenge with the factor that answers it.
Solution. For example: poverty is answered by Girinka and Ubudehe; injustice was answered by Gacaca; division is answered by Ndi Umunyarwanda.
Remember
Sources and credits
This lesson adapts CC BY-SA material and is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
