Blood Bonds: Photobook Captures Survivors and Perpetrators of Rwandan Genocide in Joint Portraits
Jan Banning and Dick Wittenberg's photobook, 'Blood Bonds: Reconciliation in Post-Genocide Rwanda,' accompanied by an essay from Marjan Slob, showcases 18 portraits of both survivors and perpetrators from the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Among those featured are Marianna Nyirantagorama (58) and Marc Nyandekwe (60), who found reconciliation after Marc took the life of Marianna's sister. Another story is that of Celestin Kayijuka (70) and Jean Marie Mukyenrwari (62), who reconciled following the murder of Celestin's father by Jean Marie. The genocide claimed between 800,000 and one million lives over 100 days, with over one million suspects tried in more than 12,000 gacaca courts. Community-based sociotherapy, initiated in 2005, engaged over 115,000 individuals. The book also addresses themes of colonial manipulation and civil war and is available for purchase.
Key facts
- Photobook 'Blood Bonds' features 18 joint portraits of survivors and perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
- The book is by photographer Jan Banning and journalist Dick Wittenberg, with an essay by philosopher Marjan Slob.
- Between 800,000 and one million people were killed in 100 days, mainly Tutsis.
- Over 12,000 gacaca village courts tried more than one million suspects after the genocide.
- Community-based sociotherapy Mvura Nkuvure started in 2005 and involved over 115,000 people in Rwanda.
- The method has been applied in Liberia, Congo, Uganda, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
- Marianna Nyirantagorama forgave Marc Nyandekwe, who killed her sister, after meeting in a sociotherapy group in 2018.
- Celestin Kayijuka and Jean Marie Mukyenrwari reconciled after Jean Marie served 10 years in prison and apologized.
Entities
Artists
- Jan Banning
- Dick Wittenberg
- Marjan Slob
- Marianna Nyirantagorama
- Marc Nyandekwe
- Celestin Kayijuka
- Jean Marie Mukyenrwari
- Liberatha Nyirasangewe
- Alphonse Kanyemera
- Epiphanie Mukamazimpaka
- Jean Baptiste
- Ancile Unabagira
- Ancile Nyiramimani
Institutions
- CBS Rwanda
Locations
- Rwanda
- Bisesero
- Liberia
- Congo
- Uganda
- Ethiopia
- South Sudan