Introduction: talking politics and watching the border prologue, 1796–1959: people of the land; Part I. 1959–1961: 'To See the Son of a King': 1. Ukuri ni kumwe: talking truth; 2. Ibigendajoro: rebels in the name of the king; Part II. 1961–1967: 'A Most Total Anarchy': 3. Abanyabihuha: talking loyalty; 4. Ukuri n'ubutungane: the fate of the Bourgmestres; Part III. 1968–1972: 'Please Send Me a Car to Take Them Away': 5. Politiques bw'insaku: talking vigilance; 6. Couper tout ce qui dépasse: truth and violence; Conclusion: the Court of Baribuka; Bibliography.
Reveals the neglected history of decolonisation and violence in Burundi through the political language of truth, citizenship and violence.
Aidan Russell is Associate Professor of International History at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva. He is the author of articles in Africa, The International Journal of African Historical Studies and the Journal of Eastern African Studies. He is the editor of Truth, Silence and Violence in Emerging States: Histories of the Unspoken (2018).
'Aidan Russell has written a powerful and disturbing study of how
struggles over power and a government's claim to monopolise truth
led to the ethnicisation of politics and to violence in a newly
independent country.' Frederick Cooper, New York University
'Path-breaking, erudite and meticulously researched, this stands as
an impressive achievement. No other work has done more to explicate
the paradoxes, subtleties and brutalities of Burundi's tragic
history. Few analysts have shown a deeper understanding of the
relationship of language (Kirundi) to popular perceptions of truth,
and ultimately to politics, than Aidan Russell in this outstanding
contribution. I cannot recommend it too highly to anyone seriously
interested in making sense of Burundi politics.' René Lemarchand,
Professor Emeritus, University of Florida
'This book reveals the power and potential of national history as
Russell puts language at the center of African politics. Violence
and truth, speech and borders, lies and citizenship constitute the
history of Burundi after 1962, and they remain in constant tension
with every memory and speech about the postcolony.' Luise White,
Professor Emerita, University of Florida
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