The African Great Lakes region has long been the scene of much turbulence and conflict. Multiple wars and invasions shook this region, long before the Rwandan genocide of 1994 and the interminable war in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Let’s go back in history to understand the origin of these tensions. Since the 13th century, the Great Lakes region has been the scene of hundreds of wars and conflicts between kingdoms, peoples and nations. Territorial conquests caused innumerable disturbances and population migrations. Rwanda itself was born from these successive conquests.
In this article, we are particularly interested in an area called the Bukunzi, located in the west of Rwanda, in what is today the district of Rusizi. This region has long been a buffer zone between the Rwandan kingdom and the territories beyond Lake Kivu and the Ruzizi River. The Bukunzi and other small surrounding kingdoms were the targets of raids and attacks from Rwanda, with the aim of acquiring wealth and new lands.
Bukunzi is also known for its resistance to the kings of Rwanda and German settlers. During the period of Belgian colonization, the Bukunzi refused to submit and continued to fight. However, after the death of King Ndagano Ruhagata, the kingdom of Bukunzi lost its independence and was placed under the control of the court of Rwanda.
Interestingly, the kingdom of Bukunzi was famous for its knowledge of meteorological phenomena, especially rain. The inhabitants of Bukunzi were considered “rainmaking kings” in colonial literature. This expertise in meteorology was a key factor in the tolerance granted by the kings of Rwanda to the kingdom of Bukunzi.
King Ndagano Ruhagata was the last ruler of Bukunzi. He was of Shi or Mushi descent, a descendant of Kiju, a Shi notable forced into exile by the Bushi court in the 16th century. The line of Bukunzi kings has always been rebellious against the central power of Rwanda, which has allowed it to maintain its autonomy for centuries.
Today, the memory of this kingdom of Bukunzi lives on in the region of South Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Family and historical ties still unite people on both sides of the Ruzizi River.
The African Great Lakes region remains marked by these conflicts and historical legacies. Understanding this complex history is essential to grasp current issues and seek lasting solutions to this recurring instability