Tutsi

Tutsi, ethnic group of probable Nilotic origin, whose members live within Rwanda and Burundi. The Tutsi formed the traditional aristocratic minority in both countries, constituting about 9 percent and 14 percent of the population, respectively. The Tutsis’ numbers in Rwanda were greatly reduced by a government-inspired genocidal campaign against them in 1994, however. The Tutsi first penetrated the area in the 14th or 15th century, entering from the northeast seeking new rangelands. Though they were...