Home Grown Initiatives and Nation Building in Africa

The book describes a number of Rwandan post-genocide initiatives aiming at developing a common sense of identity in the population and addressing social, cultural and economic issues. This proactive approach indicates the will of the Rwandan government with the cooperation of social actors to resort to traditional - and in some cases precolonial - cultural practices to resolve the problems of nation-building. The essays are well documented; many of them based on empirical studies.

Philippe Denis, Professor of History of Christianity, University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Today Rwanda is widely acclaimed as a success story and a model for post-conflict reconstruction. And yet, Rwanda has not finished to surprise. This publication focuses on a specific home-grown solution, whether it be Gacaca, Ndi Umunyarwanda, Agakiriro and more. Rwanda tells its story, its experience in overcoming apparently unsurmountable challenges. The book will serve as an essential reference for any future and deeper analyses of these solutions.

Joseph Gafaranga, Professor in linguistics, University of Edinburgh, UK.

Tharcisse Gatwa is Research professor of Ethics and consultant for research and publications at the Protestant Institute of Arts and Social Sicences [PIASS], Butare, Rwanda.

Deo Mbonyinkebe is Social and cultural anthropologist in Rwanda. He is currently focusing on peace building; social programs and inclusion.