African Public Sector Ethics (Public | 09 October 2010
Public History and Memory-Making in Post-Conflict Rwanda: Negotiating Trauma Through Collective Narratives
K, i, g, u, t, u, K, a, b, a, h, o, ,, G, a, t, e, r, a, R, u, k, u, n, d, o
Abstract
Public history and memory-making have been pivotal in post-conflict societies like Rwanda, where historical narratives shape collective identity and societal healing. Employing ethnographic research methods to document the processes and outcomes of history education initiatives in post-conflict Rwanda, focusing on memory-making workshops and their impact on community dialogue. Public historians play a crucial role in facilitating communal healing by weaving together diverse oral histories and official records to create comprehensive narratives of national suffering and resilience. Policy-makers should invest more in professional training for public historians and support the establishment of archives dedicated to preserving Rwanda’s complex historical heritage.