10 May 2023
Communities across Burundi have experienced terrible waves of violence since independence 60 years ago. A semblance of peace has returned in a context previously scarred by inter-ethnic and political conflict, but peaceful cohabitation masks deeper, less visible problems.
At the political level, these include weaknesses in the rule of law and in democratic processes. At the societal and community levels, psychological traumas, social cleavages and the lack of shared narratives about the past prevail. This contributes to challenges in dealing constructively with the past.
Interactive theatre for transitional justice
First-hand experiences of Burundi’s most violent periods have over time given way to inherited memories and transgenerational traumas. These partially shape identities and young people become the victims and proponents of a past they did not directly witness. Space for constructive dialogue to discuss the past and challenge longstanding stereotypes are limited, as are the diverse voices that would otherwise contribute to a more complete understanding of the past.
This is where our collaboration with artistic initiatives and theatre for transitional justice is proving so effective.
In Burundi, we use interactive theatre as a key community-based transitional justice approach. Burundian culture and the Kirundi language are rich in proverbs, symbolism and metaphors, so theatre has enormous power.
In our work with communities, theatre tackles social taboos and stimulates critical reflection. This creates a basis for inclusive dialogue about the past. For Burundian youth, it provides an opportunity to discover their histories and to call into question one-sided narratives. In this way, art can help to bridge intergenerational gaps through provoking truth-telling, building resilience, and confronting injustice.
“This theatre is truly suitable for young people who have not experienced the atrocities of the past. Thus, young people learn everything they have not been told.”
—Woman, Isare commune, Bujumbura Rural, February 2023
Creating inclusive dialogue through meaningful performances
Over recent months, our collaboration with La Troupe Les Enfoirés de Sanoladante has seen youth from six provinces across Burundi coming together to create a theatre piece that they called IRAGI (‘Legacy’). The piece draws on their encounters with violence and memories inherited from their elders to voice their experiences through a journey into Burundi’s history.
More than 18 performances took place in the provinces of Bujumbura Rural, Cibitoke, Kirundo, Makamba, Muyinga and Rutana, each time followed by interactive dialogue with the public. At the fifth Buja Sans Tabou’ festival in May 2023, the youth will perform their piece to an audience in Bujumbura.
“These young people took the time to gather many stories and organise them in a well-structured style showing what took place in the past.”
— Young man, Kirundo commune, Kirundo, March 2023
Youth often miss out on discussions about the past, but IRAGI and similar initiatives provide spaces for young Burundians to contribute to the national conversation on transitional justice. This is crucial for putting an end to identity manipulation and the violent transmission of memories that so often feed on mistruths.
The work of our Burundi team and partners to harness the power of theatre will continue throughout 2023 and beyond. A new grant from the UN Peacebuilding Fund for a youth-centred project called Ejo Nahacu (‘Let’s take ownership of the country’s future’) will enable us to build on these successes.
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The production of IRAGI was supported by the Dutch Postcode Lottery, the Dutch Embassy in Bujumbura through the ‘Barundi, Tuyage!’ project, and the European Union via the Dukomeze kunywana’ project (pictured in this article).
Find out more about our work in Burundi