Hutu

The Hutu are one of the principal ethnic groups in the African Great Lakes region, primarily in Rwanda and Burundi, with communities in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Historically, Hutu described agriculturalists and commoners, in contrast to the Tutsi, who were often cattle herders and holders of higher social status. The boundaries between Hutu and Tutsi were fluid in pre-colonial times and could shift with changes in wealth, lineage, or marriage.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, colonial powers—first Germany, then Belgium—codified ethnic identities and linked social status to lineage. Population registration, identity cards, and preferential policies deepened divisions. The rise of nationalist movements after World War II and the process of decolonization intensified competition for political power between Hutu and Tutsi, contributing to cycles of violence and displacement in the region.

In Rwanda, independence and subsequent political developments heightened ethnic tension. In 1994, extremist Hutu factions and militias carried out a mass slaughter targeting Tutsi and moderate Hutu, in what is widely described as genocide. Estimates of deaths range around 800,000 to 1,000,000 people. Not all Hutu supported the killings; many Hutu protected Tutsi or fled. The ensuing conflict devastated families and communities and led to long-term regional instability. The post-genocide government has pursued policies aimed at rebuilding the economy and reducing ethnic categorization in public life.

In Burundi, the Hutu majority has faced periodic conflict with the Tutsi minority, including the 1972 massacres, a civil war from 1993 to 2005, and ongoing political violence. Peace processes since then have sought power-sharing and reforms, though ethnic tensions remain a factor in Burundian politics.

Overall, Hutu identity refers to ethnicity and historical social roles, bearing significant political and historical weight in Rwanda, Burundi, and neighboring areas.