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Canonical Conventions in Rwanda: Four Myths of Recent Historiography in Central Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 May 2014

David Newbury
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Abstract:

At a time of significant change in the in the practice of African history, this article is an appeal for a renewed respect for conventional historiography – referring both to careful acquaintance with earlier work and to the practice of historical analysis. Focusing on Rwanda, the argument is presented at four levels. First, it identifies four myths evident in recent presentations on Rwandan history. Second it assesses a work that avoids such assumptions by drawing on broader empirical sources than is the norm. It then examines a work that, while highlighting an important theme, neglects much of the historical work done on Rwanda over the past forty years. It concludes by proposing a way out of such “dead-end discourses.”

Type
Critical Source Analysis
Information
History in Africa , Volume 39 , 2012 , pp. 41 - 76
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 2012

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