The revival of Rwandan culture: Scholastique Mukasonga’s Kibogo and the post-genocide era

This research paper explores the revival of Rwandan culture in the post-genocide era through a critical reading of Scholastique Mukasonga’s Kibogo (2021). The study aims to understand the role of literature in cultural healing and regeneration. It sets out three main objectives: to examine the strength of the novel as a form of representing post-genocide recovery, to analyze Kibogo as a fictional narrative that contributes to the reconstruction of postcolonial Rwanda, and to explore the use of oral traditions, myth, and language in preserving cultural memory and resisting colonial erasure. The research methodology draws on Paul Ricoeur’s ideas about narrative identity, Homi Bhabha’s concept of cultural negotiation, and Jan Assmann’s theory of cultural memory. These ideas help us see that Kibogo is more than just a story. It is a place where memory and culture are awakened. The novel shares stories that were previously untold and traditions that were long held back, giving native beliefs and views a chance to be heard again. Instead of directly criticizing colonial violence through politics, Mukasonga’s work uses stories to reclaim dignity and cultural importance. The narrative documents loss and offers a path toward recovery. Kibogo demonstrates the strength of the Rwandan identity, proving that stories can establish cultural roots, myths can help us remember, and a collective voice can pass things on. This paper highlights the lasting impact of literature in restoring what history tried to erase.