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Genocide Memorials

Rwanda has a very intense history, and not all that long ago. Everywhere in Rwanda, you’ll still notice the country has had its struggles. When visiting, there are certain places you shouldn’t miss.

History of Rwanda

Everyone is familiar with Rwanda’s intense history, the brutal 100-day genocide that tore the country apart in 1994. Our Joost wrote a piece on the 25th anniversary of the tragedy.

Throughout the country, there are memorial sites to remember this dark period. The most well-known is in Kigali, where a Memorial Centre has been established—a place where people can reflect and learn. Survivors of the genocide come to honour their family members and friends, while visitors come to learn about the atrocities that took place in the country. In the adjoining museum, you hear the stories of survival, see images of those who didn’t survive, and truly understand the profound impact the genocide had on everyone.

Genocide Memorials

But there are several other places with Genocide memorials—27 in total, with 6 even being nationally managed. These are spread across Rwanda, but the most well-known or perhaps the most powerful are in Nyamata, Ntarama, Nyarubuye, and Murambi. In these churches and former schools, you can still see many of the victims’ remains. In the Nyarubuye Catholic Church, many Tutsis sought refuge, but the perpetrators quickly figured out how to throw grenades into the church. Most of the bodies here have been buried, but you’ll still find piles of bones, skulls, and clothing scattered around.

Nyamata Church

This is nothing compared to the Nyamata Church, where the altar is still stained with blood and the victims' clothing remains on the pews. Behind the church, more than 45,000 bodies lie in a mass grave, but in the basement, you can still see skulls beneath the fluorescent lighting. It’s considered a necessary reminder, as this way we cannot deny the genocide. And we continue to remember what happened, ensuring that it never happens again. And that is also the motto of the genocide memorials: "Never again."

Despite the heavy topic—or perhaps precisely because of it—it is definitely worth visiting if you are in Rwanda.

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