Music Heals

From Will!

We started off today by going to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. At the memorial, we first watched a short film in which a few genocide survivors shared their tragic experiences during the 1994 Genocide and their lives since the end of the 100 days. Following the film, we saw graves, many of which were adorned with flowers, where lost friends and family members were buried. Beside the graves was a forest made up of trees which victims' families planted to represent the ongoing and eternal memory of their loved ones. After we saw the forest, we went inside and walked through a series of rooms in which we learned in detail about the events leading up to the genocide, during the genocide, and after the genocide. The information and lessons we learned in these rooms were embroidered with specific stories from victims and perpetrators themselves, to give more in-depth and intimate insight on the genocidal events. After going through these series of rooms, we watched the second part of the film with which we had begun our time at the memorial and learned about how survivors have found hope. We then had a discussion with a survivor of the genocide who works at the memorial. In the genocide he lost his mother and five siblings. The Interhamwe often killed all but one members of a family--to leave someone to tell of their decisive action. Working at the memorial is a way for him to remember his family and share his story with visitors like us. He is one of the few people who has explained he cannot forgive or forget, but he is trying to move on. As we learned from this man and from the whole memorial, the span of 100 days from April 6 to July 4 in 1994 was a tragic time that has impacted Rwandans for 23 years and will continue to do so. However, as we learned this evening (and as we've learned everyday this trip), Rwandans have done so much in moving on from the genocide. Later in the day, we went to a small art studio, led by two brothers (Innocent and Emmanuel), where we danced in the Rwandan styles of dancing called Intore (a male dance) and Inyambo (a female dance). We ended the night by painting together at the arts center. The focus on arts was an uplifting way to end a day that began with an in depth walk through the most painful part of this beautiful nation's history.

One thing that particularly touched me at the Rwandan Genocide Memorial was how the exhibits gave the victims a sense of individualism. When learning about events in history in which thousands of people die (in this case, around 1 million Tutsis and moderate Hutus who had been oppressed by "Hutu Power" sine 1959) it's easy to blend all those who died into a uniform group, a people defined by their common fate and nothing else. One room in the memorial which helped grant individualism to victims was the children's room. This room had pictures of children ranging in age from a few months old to 15 years old. Under each picture was the child's name, best friend, favorite food and sport, wishes in life, and the way they were killed. Each kid was unique, and looking to make a difference in the world in their own ways. Each had individual value that is extremely important to recognize. The museum showed me an a example of how, despite the genocide, violence and division is not any part of Rwandan culture. Rwandan culture is largely based around bringing people together to move forward. The dance brought us all together and the artists made it a priority that we do our paintings together in groups so that we work cohesively. Lastly a Ghanaian musician, who was hanging out with the artists in residence, asked us all to sing "Lean on Me." As our group is very outgoing, we took on the task. After singing, the musician explained how singing brings people closer as it has done for our group many times on his trip.