Linda Woolf wrote: > Allen Esterson wrote > > >I agree with Herb that it is absurd to put so many between-group conflicts > >down to religious differences, but the notion that tribes in Africa tended > >to live peacefully together until the advent of colonialism is no more the > >case than that native North American tribes peacefully co-existed until > >the "white man" arrived. > > > Allen is correct that not all indigenous tribal groups in Africa or > North America lived peacefully prior to colonization. However, as a > generalization we can not also state that all groups existed in a state > of hostility, animosity, or state of war. > > I'm not sure who stated that Hutu and Tutsi lived largely a peaceful > coexistence until colonization but this is a correct statement. Hutu > and Tutsi shared religion, language, land, and indeed the boundary > between definition as Hutu and Tutsi was permeable based upon number of > cattle owned. Upon colonization by the Belgians, class and "race" > differences were codified and a pattern of rewards, benefits, and > disparities set up and magnified between the two groups. This history > becomes more complex following this point and thus, I encourage > individuals to read more about the region and the genocides if > interested...[...]
Linda, thanks for the valuable information and references concerning the Hutu/Tutsi conflicts. And I should have added to my posting that some current or recent conflicts in Africa largely result from, or are exacerbated by, the artificial geographical borders which are a legacy of the colonial powers. Allen Esterson --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
