Despite self-evidencing facts of the heinous crime that saw victims brutally murdered 28 years ago, there are still people distorting the truth of what happened spreading propaganda to deny and undermine the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
As the world is called upon to join hands to fight genocide denial and trivialization through different platforms, some individuals have taken giant steps by writing books to tell the truth and preserve history.
There are many authors who wrote about the Genocide but we have selected five must-read books written by survivors who narrated their ordeal and how the Genocide was executed with extreme cruelty.
{{Letf to Tell}}
The book ‘Left To Tell Discovering God Amidst The Rwandan Holocaust’, was written by Immaculée Ilibagiza. It is about the author’s testimony narrating difficult times she went through during Genocide against Tutsi.
Ilibagiza talks about his path to survival hiding in a toilet of a neighbouring Hutu pastor where she spent 91 days.
As Ilibagiza narrates, she stayed there with seven more women and had neither food nor drinks. She spent all days and nights reciting the Rosary asking God to strengthen her during the trying times.
After the tragedy, she went out of the hiding place but all her relatives had been murdered except his brother who was studying abroad. Ilibagiza met face to face with the offender who killed her mother and siblings but got strength to forgive him.
The book ‘Left To Tell’ was translated into more than 17 languages where over 2 million copies have been bought.
In 2007, an American Leslie Lewis Sword and Edward Vilga used the book to produce a film dubbed ‘Miracle In Rwanda’ which has been showcased in different corners of the world.
Ilibagiza authored other books including ‘The Story Of Mary and Jesus in Kibeho: A Prophecy Fulfilled’, ‘The Station Of The Cross’ and ‘The Boy Who Met Jesus And Message For Humanity’ among others.
{{Moi, le dernier Tutsi}}
The book ‘Moi, le dernier Tutsi’ translated as ‘Me, the last Tutsi’ was written by Charles Habonimana in collaboration with French national Daniel Le Scornet.
It reflects bitter history he went through during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
‘Moi, le dernier Tutsi’ is a 187-page book featuring the real story of the author’s life during the Genocide where he lost both parents, relatives and siblings.
Habonimana who was 12 years old at the time saw Interahamwe killing relatives with his own eyes but lived with them and accompanied them during different attacks to kill Tutsis.
The authors shows how Genocide unfolded in his parents’ village in the former Mayunzwe Sector, Commune Tambwe of Gitarama Prefecture in the current Ruhango District of Southern Province.
He listed names of victims killed on Nzaratsi hill that was named ‘Calvary’ following the tragic end of a man called Léonard Sebuyonde who was killed and crucified on cross like Jesus.
The fact that many Tutsis in the area were killed at the hill gave him inspiration to give the first part of his book the heading: ‘Calvaire’ (Calvary).
{{Ma mère m’a tué}}
The book ‘Ma mère m’a tué’ translated as ‘My Mother Killed Me’ was written by Albert Nsengimana who was 7-year old during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
It features testimonies of his horrendous experiences where his mother took part in the death of his siblings and attempted to kill him too.
Nsengimana was among nine siblings born to a Tutsi father and Hutu mother. They lived in the former Commune Kabarondo in the current Kayonza District.
In his book, Nsengimana wrote about shocking testimonies depicting how Genocide was prepared and executed with extreme cruelty until a mother kills own child pitilessly.
Nsengimana also narrated how his mother used to take his children to Interahamwe militiamen including his uncle to be killed.
{{Not My Time To Die}}
‘Not My Time To Die’ is a book written by Yolande Mukagasana, an activist renowned for initiatives to fight denial of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi and trivialization.
‘Not My Time To Die’ is about testimony revolving around how her family was brutally murdered during the Genocide.
{{That Child is Me}}
The book ‘That Child is Me’ was written by Claver Irakoze who was aged 11 during the Genocide against Tutsi. He wrote the book with a view to encourage people to teach children about history of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
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