Commendable efforts are in place to document the history of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi; these have been in the form of literature reviews, movies and archiving documents related to the genocide.

Documentation is one of the main tools that are helping in dismantling genocide denial.

‘Jardin de la Mémoire’ (Garden of Memory) located at Nyanza Genocide Memorial in Kicukiro District, is one such case that’s preserving and shining a light to the memory of those who were lost during the genocide.

The place symbolises life and rebirth after the Genocide, as well as the protection that was offered by nature during the Genocide in which over a million lives were lost.

The memorial garden was officially launched by First Lady Jeannette Kagame in April 2019. Its unique features not only preserve history, but carry precious meaning as well.

The New Times took a guided tour through the garden and learnt its different sections; from the dry garden, to the pit icon, mush and waters up to the forest of memory.

Travelling through the garden, you mostly encounter stones and flowers which often symbolise eternity and affection for the departed souls.

Here are some of them;

The Dry garden

The garden includes many cactus trees which symbolise resilience. These trees often grow in very harsh environments yet can thrive without water, like in a desert. This resilience was set to depict the resilience of RPA soldiers, who were determined to save the lives of Rwandans regardless of the odds against them at the time.

As you move through the garden, you notice how the number of trees keeps on increasing, a sign of amassed soldiers.

Water and the mush

During the genocide, people sought refuge in places such as water bodies and swamps to escape death. This symbol hence sought to depict this even as some were killed after being thrown in these water bodies. Therefore, this symbol is also to remember them since there can never be a chance to give them a decent burial. In the 100 days of commemoration, there is a special day to commemorate people who were thrown in rivers and other water bodies.

Hills

In different genocide testimonies, survivors often cite how perpetrators would spot them easily as they ran for their dear lives. They were able to do this especially when they were standing on hills. This was especially in the Western part of Rwanda. Hilly areas and mountains do represent a lot to the country’s history.

Meditation corridor

The meditation corridor was set up so that after visiting, people would find a place they would relax and digest such information that might be heavy on them. At this place, they can come and relax, and do some reflection on the history they’ve learnt about.

The place also symbolises the walk to remember, which is often carried in memory of genocide victims who were killed at IPRC Kicukiro. The victims were driven from IPRC school (former ETO), to be killed at the current location of the memorial (almost 3 km from IPRC).

 Flame of remembrance

In the Rwandan culture, after the loss of a loved one, people sit down and light a flame which signifies hope, the hope of life for those who are still alive. Rwanda lost its people, but as a country, through resilience, it has worked to navigate its way out of the dark past, and is now on the right path to development.

The statue of upright men in the garden is a symbol of the resilience of Genocide survivors who decided to move away and move on with life.

 Statue of upright men

The upright men statute in the garden is a symbol which shows a man and a woman on the side. It shows a man and a woman moving out from a hill that is burning, symbolising the resilience of genocide survivors who decided to move away and move on with life.

Pit icon

It symbolises Tutsis who were thrown in pits and holes.

Amphitheatre

The garden also hosts an amphitheatre to host Kwibuka events. It has the capacity to host more than 3500 people sitting.

Sorghum garden

Sorghum played a big role because a lot of Tutsis hid there and were able to survive, one of the reasons it is also depicted in the garden.

Forest of memory

Up to 100 trees are set to be planted in the forest section of the garden of memory. These will be symbolising 100 days of the genocide.

The forest has three types of trees which symbolise how Rwanda decided to live after the genocide:

Umuvumu, symbolises family; how genocide survivors have embraced life and made new families, had children, and in addition, how Rwandans become one family without divisionism.

Umuko tree symbolises protection in ancient culture. But in this contest, it means the country should protect and maintain current achievements.

Umunyinya (acacia) tree; when it grows up, it creates shelter.  In ancient culture; they used to sit under this tree to sort out community issues.

So, it signifies how Rwanda decided to move forward by sitting down and finding solutions amongst ourselves (Gacaca jurisdiction), etc.

Some of the trees were planted during the garden’s inauguration in 2019.

One of the trees was planted by First lady Jeanette Kagame, others who planted these trees include Anne Hidalgo, the Mayor of Paris, Louise Mushikiwabo, the Secretary General of Francophonie, ambassadors of Sweden, Belgium and Israel to Rwanda, alongside 25 children who were symbolising 25 years of remembrance per that ceremony.

The garden also features an amphitheatre to host Kwibuka events. It has a sitting capacity of more than 3500 people.

Water and the mush area that symbolise the tragic way that some tutsi went through in swamps ,mashland and in rivers during the Genocide against the Tutsi (1)

A group of youth visit the Garden of Memory at Kicukiro Nyanza Genocide memorial.