Ser perro en Ruanda: De Imbwa a Umusega

Rwanda has an extremely small canine population compared to the rest of African countries. However, in recent years, this country is experiencing an emergency of dogs as pets, especially in the capital, Kigali. If this increase poses a political and social challenge for many countries, the case of Rwanda is particularly sensitive, since during the genocide in 1994, there were substantial changes in human-dog relations, which persist. This paper shows how colonial and postcolonial processes have widespread repercussions over time, which transcend the barrier of the species. The text illustrates the idea that the political, social, and environmental consequences of these processes involve all beings in interaction. In Rwanda, the historical and cultural background that in the past marked human interactions with dogs, today has an impact on the challenges facing the country. Rwandan dogs also have something to say in the reconciliation process.