Cultural Identity and Reconciliation in Rwanda: From Spoken Word to Stand-Up

A new generation of writers and performers in Rwanda is embracing the creative arts as a shared platform for a reconsideration of this country's cultural identity. Drawing from original interviews with writers and Rwanda's first stand-up comedians, this study centers on the complex questions of linguistic and ethnic identity, self-determination, and the possibility of a transgressive voice within a post-conflict setting. This article offers an understanding of how this new literary and cultural scene is emerging as a compelling and transformative presence in Rwanda today.