100 days

Rwanda: A Brief History of the Country

Rwanda’s population of more than 7 million people is divided into three ethnic groups: the Hutu (who made up roughly 85% of the population), the Tutsi (14%) and the Twa (1%).

Prior to the colonial era, Tutsis generally occupied the higher strata in the social system and the Hutus the lower. However, social mobility was possible, a Hutu who acquired a large number of cattle or other wealth could be assimilated into the Tutsi group and impoverished Tutsi would be regarded as Hutu. A clan system also functioned, with the Tutsi clan known as the Nyinginya being the most powerful. Throughout the 1800s, the Nyingiya expanded their influence by conquest and by offering protection in return for tribute.

Ethnic Conflict Begins

The former colonial power, Germany, lost possession of Rwanda during the First World War and the territory was then placed under Belgian administration. In the late 1950’s during the great wave of decolonization, tensions increased in Rwanda. The Hutu political movement, which stood to gain from majority rule, was gaining momentum while segments of the Tutsi establishment resisted democratization and the loss of their acquired privileges. In November 1959, a violent incident sparked a Hutu uprising in which hundreds of Tutsi were killed and thousands displaced and forced to flee to neighboring countries. This marked the start of the so- called ‘Hutu Peasant Revolution’ or ‘social revolution’ lasting from 1959 to 1961, which signified the end of Tutsi domination and the sharpening of ethnic tensions. By 1962, when Rwanda gained independence, 120,000 people, primarily Tutsis, had taken refuge in neighboring states to escape the violence which had accompanied the gradual coming into power of the Hutu community...

The Genocide - 6th April - 4th July 1994

On 6 April 1994, the deaths of the Presidents of Burundi and Rwanda in a plane crash caused by a rocket attack, ignited several weeks of intense and systematic massacres. The killings - as many as 1 million people are estimated to have perished - shocked the international community and were clearly acts of genocide. An estimated 150,000 to 250,000 women were also raped. Members of the presidential guard started killing Tutsi civilians in a section of Kigali near the airport. Less than half an hour after the plane crash, roadblocks manned by Hutu militiamen often assisted by gendarmerie (paramilitary police) or military personnel were set up to identify Tutsis. [more]

source
www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/rwanda/education/rwandagenocide

Rwanda genocide [stats]

Crazy.

Even an 'American dog' was saved.. and Laura Lane is extremely patronizing. Madeleine Albright..

Dawna's song of the day - My fav by UB40

I'd still like Ali Campbell to sing this at my wedding some day, or.. just sing it.. period.
Right in front of me - no messing
Anyway.. its a nice warm day to read awhile, take a walk in the park, think, and enjoy x



Could be anywhere in the world.. it's a moment.. a feeling

"Kingston Town"
(originally by Lord Creator)

The night seems to fade,
But the moonlight lingers on
There are wonders for everyone
The stars shine so bright,
But they're fading after dawn
There is magic in Kingston Town

Oh Kingston Town,
The place I long to be
If I had the whole world
I would give it away
Just to see, the girls at play
Ooh, ooh, ooh

And when I am king,
surely I would need a queen
And a palace and everything, yeah
And now I am king,
And my queen will come at dawn
She'll be waiting in Kingston Town

If I had the whole world
I would give it away
Just to see, the girls at play
Ooh, ooh, ooh

And when I am king,
surely I would need a queen
And a palace and everything, yeah
And now I am king,
And my queen will come at dawn
She'll be waiting in Kingston Town

Oh Kingston Town,
The place I long to be
If I had the whole world
I would give it away
Just to see, the girls at play
Ooh, ooh, ooh

And when I am king,
surely I would need a queen
And a palace and everything, yeah
And now I am king,
And my queen will come at dawn
She'll be waiting in Kingston Town

**

Sweetie ft Flavour & Wizboyy

**

Thorn or a Rose?

I do like Lutan Fyah



'Never lose sight of who you are..'
Mmmm nice song



hey.. y'all didn't buy my April fools today.. :)
Hmm.. maybe it's for real then
Yes indeed. Done

My New Car

up close..

and personal x

Enjoy!

Young Disciples

You can't plan for everything.. sometimes.. things just happen

Some days are filled with surprises
Some good some bad
This evening was a mixed bag.
After I got in, I heard of some really bad/sad news, then later on.. you know that that nice warm feeling you get when you make a new friend?.. I got that

I had a lovely day yesterday
When I think back to it, I smile
The on going reminder that life is full of surprises



I used to sing this over and over after I first heard it.. even before I knew the name of the singer. I had no idea what she was really singing about either.. it just sounded heartfelt.





I have one album by the Brand New Heavies..it has this track on it



But my favourite version has always been



Now.. I bet you didn't expect this track to be here did you? see.. surprises.



Or this..
It's a beautiful song