How did the traditional occupations of Hutu and Tutsi people differ in Burundi?

In precolonial Burundi, traditional occupations were divided along ethnic lines, though these identities were historically fluid. The Hutu were primarily agriculturalists, while the Tutsi were traditionally pastoralists and cattle owners.123

Cattle served as a significant symbol of wealth in precolonial Burundi, which helped the Tutsi establish social and economic influence. Despite these general occupational distinctions, the boundary between the two groups was not rigid; societal standards allowed for mobility, where a wealthy Hutu could be identified as a Tutsi, and a poor Tutsi could be identified as a Hutu. Over time, these distinct systems have become more integrated, with most households now engaging in both crop and livestock production.234