Leiden University Student Repository

Wanjiru, Nichole (2021)

(Re)constructing Identity through Narratives: How Memory Shapes the Present and Future Following Mass Trauma: A Case Study on Rwanda

Master thesis | Political Science (MSc)

The importance of memories and how they are shaped politically to influence identity perceptions is the focus of this paper. Specifically, how following mass trauma state actors select memories to nourish national narratives that build the post-conflict nation. Postgenocide Rwanda is explored and how centring the memory of genocide at the core of national identity redefines what it means to be Rwandan. Defining post-genocide Rwanda places Tutsi-victimisation and survivorhood at the forefront of Rwandan identity. This, disallows Hutu and Batwa public acknowledgment of their memories and marginalises the unacknowledged memories of Hutu and Batwa. Identity perceptions are reconstructed under post-genocide Rwanda explicitly as inclusive and promoting unity but this thesis shows that genocide identity perceptions remain in post-genocide Rwanda concealing ethnic discrimination under narratives of unity.

Author

Wanjiru, Nichole

Faculty

Faculty of Social & Behavioural Sciences

Supervisors

Meegdenburg, H. van
Kopecky, P.

ECTS Credits

20

Language

en