About IWGIAIndigenous peoples in Rwanda
The indigenous Batwa population of Rwanda is known by various names: indigenous Rwandans, ancient hunter-gatherers, Batwa, Pygmies, Potters, or the “historically marginalized population”.
The Batwa live throughout the country and number between 33,000 and 35,000 people out of a total population of around 11,000,000, i.e. 0.3% of the population. They have a distinct culture, often associated with their folkloric and traditional dance and the intonation of their specific language.
National parks lead to evictions and empoverishment
Prior to 1973 when national parks were created in Rwanda, the Batwa lived mainly from hunting and gathering in the territory’s natural forests. They were expelled from their ancestral lands with no warning, compensation or other means of subsistence. They now constitute the poorest and most marginalized ethnic group in Rwanda.
Statistics from 2004 clearly illustrate this. For example, in 2004, 77% of the Batwa were not able to read, write or count, less than 1% had completed secondary education and none had completed higher education.; only 30% had health insurance; more than 46% of Batwa families live in grass huts (straw houses); 47% had no farmland (this is nearly four time higher than the national average); 95% of them produce pottery, although their clay products are sold at less than the cost of production; 85% of the Batwa barely even ate once a day.
The Batwa have limited representation
Their complete lack of representation in governance structures has been a great problem for the Batwa. However, Article 82, para 2 of the Rwandan Constitution, amended by revision no. 2 of 8 December 2005, stipulates that eight members of the Senate must be appointed by the President of the Republic, who shall also ensure representation of historically marginalized communities. However, at the moment the Batwa have only one representative in the Senate.
No official recognition of indigenous identity
The Rwandese government still does not recognise the indigenous or minority identity of the Batwa and, in fact, all ethnic identification has been banned since the 1994 war and genocide, even though the government voted in favour of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Because of this unwillingness to identify people by ethnic group, there is no specific law in Rwanda to promote or protect Batwa rights.
Download the 2011 yearbook article on indigenous peoples in Rwanda to read more about developments and events during 2010
