Abstract
This paper utilizes Professor Terence Ranger's approach to the study of consciousness to explore an instance of resistance to genocide in Rwanda in 1994, in which a communal mayor and his staff experienced a 'prise de conscience,' an awakening about the genocidal conspiracy that was occurring, and acted decisively to neutralize the forces that elsewhere led to the decimation of most 'Tutsi' and opponents of the ruling regime. Professor Ranger's long-standing interest in peasant consciousness and resistance to colonialism in Southern Africa has provided a method for the exploration of other topics. Ranger has studied the emergence of identity in performance groups in late colonial urban settings and mining communities, the common consciousness of the afflicted, the cultural and ideological foundations of the guerrilla war in Rhodesia, and the role of cults, shrines, and Christianity in the shaping of African political consciousness. Ranger's approach offers useful guidelines for the the study of consciousness in political action to the analysis of the strategy adopted by the mayor of Giti commune in Rwanda, to his ability to guide the transition from single party to multiparty politics, and the prosecution of petty crimes before they could escalate into genocidal crimes, and a variety of other actions to uphold civility and law. Most important of all is his rejection of the racial dogma of Rwandan society. This case demonstrates the usefulness of Ranger's approach to the analysis of ideas, strategies, and creative human actors in the context of history.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.