Mpabonimana, Anne Marie

Mpabonimana, Anne Marie

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Interviewee Age

Born in 1955

Interviewee Gender

Female

Interviewee Ethnicity

Hutu

Interviewee Occupation

Typist

Interviewee Level of Education in 1972

Finished High School

Geographical Location(s) during the genocide

Burundi, Nyakibanda Village, the commune is Vumbi, the province was Muyinga

Current Geographical Location

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

Interview Date

2-23-2022

Interviewer Name

Philippe Mukamarakiza

Summary of Oral History

In 1972, after Anne Marie had finished school, her family experienced a distressing event, where they were visited by police officers and gendarmes who arrived at their home in a van. The police, including two municipal officers and an administrator, arrived at the interviewee's home and arrested Anne Marie's father and uncle, Prudence Mahobwe. They were handcuffed, tied up, and locked away in a van. This was a shocking and confusing experience for Anne Marie and her family, who were not familiar with the political context or the ethnic tensions going on at the time. Her family, including her pregnant mother and grandfather, were left in a state of fear and helplessness. They observed the police searching their home and taking money and other valuables. Despite their distress, this situation made them feel powerless to intervene or protest.

Following the arrests, Anne Marie’s family made efforts to find out what had happened. The next day, they searched for the arrested individuals but found no trace of them. Rumors soon circulated that the situation was dire, and it became evident that the arrests were part of a broader and severe wave of violence. The family was informed that the likelihood of their relatives being alive was minimal, contributing to their distress and despair. After this tragic event, Anne Marie began to understand the ethnic conflict involving Hutus and Tutsis during this period. She heard that Hutus were being targeted and that the violence was widespread, affecting various regions. This marked a turning point in her awareness of the political and ethnic tensions in the country.

Named Persons

Nonabakize Zacharie (father), Bwisharo Thérence (mother), Gabriel Gasomborozo (grandfather), Adeline Murenguka (grandmother), Prudence Mahobwe (uncle)

Named Places

Nyagatovu, Nyakibanda, Muhanga in Ngozi, Bujumbura, Nyakibanda Village, the commune is Vumbi, the province Kirundo

Length of Oral History

00:26:42

Language(s) of Oral History

Kirundi

Language(s) of Transcripts

Kirundi, English

Translator for Transcripts

Translator (for transcripts) Pasteur Niyomwungere 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 Anne Marie Mpabonimana - Oral History Transcript and Translation (Kirundi and English) (252 KB)

Mpabonimana, Anne Marie

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