6 Genocide Memorial Sites in Rwanda Showcasing the Sad Past:
Discover the 1994 Rwanda Genocide Memorial Sites, solemn reminders of the tragic past to honor the victims of the genocide against the Tutsi, offering insights into its causes and aftermath through exhibits and personal stories.
A visit to the Genocide Memorial Sites in Rwanda is a profound experience, highlighting the importance of peace, reconciliation, and the resilience of the Rwandan people.
So much has been talked about Rwanda but one thing that will always remain, is the 1994 genocide. It is believed that over 800,000 people were killed in only 100 days of genocide that targeted the Tutsi minority in large part but also moderate Hutus who were shot, beaten or hacked to death by Hutu rebels between April and July of 1994.
The Genocide Memorial Sites have exhibits of the remains of the people that were killed that include; photographs, clothing, shoes among other items.
These sites that hold a strong background to the people of Rwanda act as a reminder that genocide has never been good and also a place where relatives, friends and the whole country gather to celebrate, mourn and commemorate the lives of people lost during that time.
There four Genocide Memorial Sites in Rwanda and these include; Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero.
The Rwanda Genocide Memorial Sites:
Kigali Genocide Memorial.
This is the closest genocide site situated just within Kigali city in Gisozi. This place that was constructed in 1999 is the final resting place of more than 250,000 people that were killed during the genocide.
On your trip here you will get to see the belongings of the people that were killed that include clothing, shoes, skulls, photos of survivors, reconciliation efforts and more. Still inside, you will as well get to be told about other genocides that have happened around the world.
Outside the site, there’s a garden with mass graves where relatives and survivors of the 1994 come to reconnect.
Camp Kigali Belgian Monument.
This was established by the Belgian government and it’s a site where 10 Belgian United Nations soldiers were killed as they guarding the Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingimana. These were deployed at the Prime minister’s place on orders of General Dallaire.
When the genocide bagan, the presidential guard invaded the home, disarmed the soldiers and took them to Camp Kigali where they were killed. The ten stone pillars memorize the 10 soldiers that were killed.
Nyanza Genocide Memorial.
Situated in Kicukiro district at Ecole Technique Officielle, Nyanza Genocide Memorial holds mass graves of more than 10,000 people who were killed by the perpetrators.
It is believed that these were killed after the Belgian soldiers who initially were supposed to protect them abandoned them as the genocide intensified.
It is said that the victims had begged the Belgian soldiers not to leave with some even requesting to be shot rather than facing the horrible death in the arms of the Hutus, but the Belgian forces had to shoot in the air and leave them to be slaughtered.
Ntarama Genocide Memorial.
Ntarama church is situated just an hour’s drive from the capital, Kigali. Over 5,000 victims that did include children, women and men had took refugee in the church during the genocide but were slaughtered by the Hutu.
On your visit to this genocide site, you will be able to see the skulls of the people that were killed, their clothing covered with soot and dirt, coffins that house skeletons of the people that were during the genocide and much more.
Relatives and people from all parts of the world usually visit this place to mourn and commemorate the lives of the victims.
Nyamata Genocide Memorial.
Situated just 30km south of Kigali city, is Nyamata genocide memorial sites. This was initially a church where over 45,000 Tutsi who had sought refuge were killed by the Hutu.
After negotiations with the Catholic Church and the government of Rwanda, they decided to gazette it and establish it as a genocide memorial site where relatives, friends and relatives visit to celebrate the lives of people who lost their lives during the 1994 genocide.
Murambi Genocide Memorial.
Another site that you will check out during your trip is the Murambi genocide memorial site. This is the most unique genocide among others. You will be able to see corpses that remain unburied (but preserved).
During the 1994 genocide, the Tutsi were escaping and looking for refugee. It is thought that the victims had visited the church to seek refugee but were later advised by the bishop and the mayor that it won’t be safe thus choosing to settle at the half built Murambi technical institute where the French army would protect them.
The army had fled the place and the Tutsi were later attacked by the Hutu and slaughtered. On your trip here, you will be briefed on the history of the genocide and how communities are coping up by one of the survivors of the 1994 genocide.
You can access this genocide site on your safari to Nyungwe Forest National Park.
These are the genocide memorial sites in Rwanda and you can include any in your itinerary to learn so much about the genocide, how it affected the country and why it should never happen again.
Visit the Rwanda Genocide Memorial Sites on these Tours:
Join us on at rip to See Gorillas in Rwanda, enjoy cultural performances and and also visit the Diane Fossey tombs.
Visit the 3 most popular national parks in Rwanda for activities like chimp and gorilla trekking, bird watching & game drives, etc.
The 10 day Rwanda Safari covers all the tourism aspects of Rwanda from primates to culture to big five game.