The Republic Of Rwand A Nation Of Middle East Africa

The Republic of Rwanda is a sovereign nation in Middle East Africa that is filled with a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. Kingship in Rwanda started well before Germany’s colonization in 1897. The indigenous state was governed through a central monarchy, and relied heavily on the kings’ predecessors of one of the three royal dynasties and spiritual protection from havoc and misfortune. The king, also, ruled alongside the â€Å"Queen Mother†, who served an important role in carrying out executive orders. The kings’ descendants were referred to as Tutsi; and people of non-royal descent were called Hutu. Rwandan rulers carried out multiple military conquests throughout middle-east Africa that overpowered different kingdoms and†¦show more content†¦German, Belgian, and French colonialists along with Christian missionaries orchestrated and perpetrated both the Rwandan Genocide in 1994 and the Rwandan Revolution of 1959. The church was thriving and working alongside the state, promoting â€Å"tribalism† and ethnic distinction. The Hamitic hypothesis was the states and church’s ideology about Rwanda’s history at the time, but many people until this day blame the church for not offering moral and spiritual support. Christian missionaries, especially the Roman Catholic Church, were the brain and hands of the colonial state. The church was involved politically, socially, and economically and situated themselves deep within the backbone of the country. It was not until 1900 when the first mission arrived and settled in Rwanda. The mission was established by the Society of Our Lady of Africa, commonly known as the White Fathers. Monsignor Lavigerie, the founder of the order, â€Å"promoted the idea that to implant Christianity successfully in a society, missionaries should focus their efforts at conversion first and foremost on political authorities. If chiefs and kings could be convinced to adopt Christianity, Lavigerie argued, their subjects would naturally follow† (Longman 7). Although this may be true, Yuhi Musinga, refused to be baptized a Roman Catholic. A delegation of White Fathers along with