(Re)cognising the corpse: individuality, identification and multidirectional memorialisation in post-genocide Rwanda

Rwanda's memorial sites—Nyamata, Nyarubuye, and Murambi—function as powerful commemorative grounds despite the lack of individualised corpses. A key insight is that the corpse, often symbolizing death and mourning, has become a means for the Rwandan community to confront their loss, even in its anonymous form. This shift in perception challenges traditional narratives that portray victims as faceless. The study examines literary depictions by Jean Hatzfeld, Boubacar Boris Diop, and Philip Gourevitch, revealing how corpses are described as literal parts of the landscape, reflecting a transformation in national consciousness. By analyzing both fictional and autobiographical texts, the research highlights the corpse's evolving significance in post-genocide memorialization.

Maurer-Prager, A. (2017). (Re)cognising the corpse: individuality, identification and multidirectional memorialisation in post-genocide Rwanda. Human Remains in Society. https://doi.org/10.7228/manchester/9781526107381.003.0006