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Caste - Castes in Rwanda and Burundi

Caste - Castes in Rwanda and Burundi: Encyclopedia II - Caste - Castes in Rwanda and Burundi

The system is also found in Africa, in Rwanda, Burundi and eastern Congo; here it is known as ubuhake. The Tutsi, who comprise about 15% of the population of these areas, were the ruling, Cattle-owning caste - corresponding to the "Kshatriyas" in the Vedic system. Below them were the Hutu, the farmers - corresponding with the Vedic Sudras; about 80% of the population. Fewer than 3% of the population are Twa or Pygmies. During the German suzerainty over Rwanda and Burundi, the authorities reinforced the system by employin ...

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Caste, Caste - Balinese caste system, Caste - Castes in Rwanda and Burundi, Caste - Castes in ancient Israel, Caste - Indian caste system, Caste - Japanese caste system, Caste - Jati, Caste - Modern perceptions of caste, Caste - Nepalese caste system, Caste - Origins of the caste system, Caste - Overview, Caste - Sri Lankan caste system, Caste - Twice born, Caste - Varna, Apartheid laws, Blood money laws, Devşirme system, Dhimmi laws, Ghetto, Jim Crow laws, Jizyah tax, Judenhut, Mellah, Ottoman Millet system, Nuremberg laws, Segregation, Social stratification, Yellow badge

Caste: Encyclopedia II - Caste - Castes in Rwanda and Burundi

Caste - Castes in Rwanda and Burundi

The system is also found in Africa, in Rwanda, Burundi and eastern Congo; here it is known as ubuhake. The Tutsi, who comprise about 15% of the population of these areas, were the ruling, Cattle-owning caste - corresponding to the "Kshatriyas" in the Vedic system. Below them were the Hutu, the farmers - corresponding with the Vedic Sudras; about 80% of the population. Fewer than 3% of the population are Twa or Pygmies.

During the German suzerainty over Rwanda and Burundi, the authorities reinforced the system by employing Tutsis in hegemonic roles. The Belgian colonialists who succeeded them after World War I continued this policy, instituting 'ethnic' identity cards. They also incorporates subsidiary populations, such as the Hima and the Baganwa, into the Tutsi.

After independence, tensions intensified. In 1972, Tutsis were responsible for a wholesale massacre of Hutus. In the 1990s, Hutus responded with a counter-massacre. Proponents of the caste-system feel this to be a case of caste-warfare, though this seems to be a example of the other sort: that of a person with a hammer, who sees the need for a nail on every wall.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Castes in Rwanda and Burundi", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki

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