History of Burundi

The historical development of Burundi from its precolonial kingdom through German and Belgian rule to independence, civil conflict, and the modern state.

Kingdom of Burundi: A precolonial kingdom in the Great Lakes region ruled by a mwami and centered on the territory of modern Burundi. Its monarchy and political structures formed the foundation of Burundi’s precolonial history.
Indirect rule: A system of colonial government that governs through existing local authorities and institutions. Belgian officials relied on and altered Burundi’s monarchy and administrative hierarchy.
Mwezi IV Gisabo: The Burundian mwami who ruled from the mid-nineteenth century until 1908. His reign confronted German expansion and marked the kingdom’s transition into colonial rule.
Burundi independence: Burundi’s achievement of sovereignty from Belgium on 1 July 1962. Independence began a period of contested monarchy, military rule, and political upheaval.
History of Rwanda: The historical development of Rwanda from its precolonial kingdom through colonial rule, independence, and later conflict. Shared colonial administration connects the two histories, while their post-independence trajectories differ.
Mwami: A hereditary king in several Great Lakes kingdoms, including Burundi and Rwanda. Burundi’s kings embodied royal authority before and during colonial rule.
Hutu–Tutsi relations: The historically changing social and political relations between Hutu and Tutsi communities in the Great Lakes region. Colonial governance hardened distinctions that became increasingly consequential in Burundian politics.
Louis Rwagasore: A Burundian nationalist leader who led the Union for National Progress and became prime minister in 1961. His independence movement won a decisive election before his assassination in 1961.
Burundi republic: The republican system established in Burundi after the monarchy was abolished in 1966. Its creation ended centuries of monarchy and concentrated power under military rulers.
History of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: The history of the central African state formerly known as the Belgian Congo and Zaire. Belgian colonial administration linked Burundi to the Congo’s governing institutions.

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