Ethnic groups in Rwanda

Part of a series on the
Culture of Rwanda
History History of Rwanda Timeline Origins of Hutu, Tutsi and Twa Kingdom of Rwanda kings German East Africa Ruanda-Urundi Colonial residents Ruzagayura famine Rwandan Revolution Bugesera invasion Rwandan Civil War Rwandan genocide Initial events Second Congo War
People
Languages
Cuisine
Religion
Art
Literature
Music
Media Radio Television Cinema
Sport
Monuments World Heritage Sites
Symbols Flag Coat of arms National anthem
v t e

The largest ethnic groups in Rwanda are the Hutus, which make up about 85% of Rwanda's population; the Tutsis, which are 14%; and the Twa, which are around 1%.^[1] Starting with the Tutsi feudal monarchy rule of the 10th century, the Hutus were a subjugated social group. Belgian colonization also contributed to the tensions between the Hutus and Tutsis. The Belgians and later the Hutus propagated the myth that Hutus were the superior ethnicity. The resulting tensions would eventually foster the slaughtering of Tutsis in the Rwandan genocide. Since then, policy has changed to recognize one main ethnicity: "Rwandan".

In comparison to the Hutu (4.3% B), the Tutsi have three times as much genetic influence from Nilo-Saharan populations (14.9% B).^[2]