Manirambona, Rehokadiya

Manirambona, Rehokadiya

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Interviewee Age

Born in 1959, 62 years old

Interviewee Gender

Female

Interviewee Ethnicity

Hutu

Interviewee Occupation

Teacher

Interviewee Level of Education in 1972

D4 teaching qualification diploma

Geographical Location(s) during the genocide

Burundi, Nyagatovu Village, the commune is Vumbi, the province Kirundo

Current Geographical Location

Burundi, Nyagatovu Village, the commune is Vumbi, the province Kirundo

Interview Date

2-22-2022

Interviewer Name

Philippe Mukamarakiza

Summary of Oral History

In Rehokadiya’s testimony, she explains how in 1972 people were taken away without clear reasons, often labeled as "dissidents" by those in power. She mentions how this time period was marked by confusion and a lack of understanding about the true nature of the violence. The interviewee was a student at Murehe elementary school during the genocide era. She witnessed classmates and teachers being taken away by soldiers and never seeing them again. The local population were given a warning by an Italian priest about the danger and encouraged to flee if possible.

Rehokadiya lost two family members (cousins) during this tragedy, one was a demobilized soldier working in the governor's office who disappeared and was later confirmed dead. Another was a teacher who attempted to hide but was eventually captured and killed. She narrates how Mourning and traditional funeral rituals at the time were prohibited. Expressing grief would result in being accused of sympathizing with the victims, and could easily lead to further persecution.

These arrests were carried out by compiled lists made by government authorities and passed down to local officials who carried out the arrests and executions. The interviewee describes mass graves in Vumbi municipality, where victims from various regions were brought to be killed. The graves were located in a large cave used for hiding and disposing of bodies. Rehokadiya heard about the massacre from a former perpetrator who described the brutal methods and locations where bodies were disposed of. This person, named Magarama, recounted the details of the killings and the state of the mass graves.

Named Persons

Dominika, Barahinyuza Dominika (grandmother), Ntawuhorahake (grandfather), Nyamusi Jacob (father), Tereza Nahimana (mother), Mahobwe and Zakariya (children of the ruler in the past kings time), Magarama

Named Places

Nyagatovu Village, the commune is Vumbi, the province Kirundo, province Muyinga, Kirundo school in Murehe, Busoni region, Ngozi, Gikomero ,Vumbi, Bujumbura, Ntega, Gitobe, Marangara, Gashoho

Length of Oral History

00:42:00

Language(s) of Oral History

Kirundi

Language(s) of Transcripts

Kirundi, English

Translator for Transcripts

Translator: Melchizedek Boshirwa and Transcriptionist: Pasteur Niyomwungere

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT - EDUCATIONAL USE PERMITTED This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for educational uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Download Rehokadiya Manirambona – Oral History Transcript and Translation (Kirundi and English) (266 KB)

Manirambona, Rehokadiya

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