How Do You Spell INTERAHAMWE?

Pronunciation: [ˌɪntəɹahˈamwɪ] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "Interahamwe" can be confusing, as it involves a combination of sounds that are not commonly found in English. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is ˌɪntərəˈhæmwɛ. The first syllable, "in," is pronounced as in "pin." The "ter" sound is pronounced like "tear," while the "a" in the second syllable is pronounced as in "cat." The "ham" sound is pronounced as a soft "hum," and the final syllable, "we," is pronounced like "way." Understanding the correct spelling and pronunciation of this word is important for anyone discussing the history of Rwanda and the 1994 genocide.

INTERAHAMWE Meaning and Definition

1. Interahamwe is a term derived from the Kinyarwanda language, which translates to "those who attack together" or "those who work together." It refers to a Hutu paramilitary organization that originated in Rwanda in the early 1990s. The Interahamwe played a crucial role in the Rwandan genocide that occurred in 1994.

   The Interahamwe were predominantly composed of young Hutu extremists, many of whom were recruited from schools and universities. They were known for their extreme hatred towards the Tutsi ethnic minority, as well as moderate Hutus who were deemed sympathetic to the Tutsi cause. The organization was structured hierarchically, with leaders at the top overseeing regional chapters and local units.

   During the genocide, the Interahamwe carried out systematic and widespread killings of Tutsis and moderate Hutus with brutal efficiency. They employed various methods of violence, including machetes, clubs, and firearms, targeting victims in their homes, churches, and on the streets. The Interahamwe also conducted mass rape and sexual violence as a means of terrorizing the targeted population.

   The extremist ideology promoted by the Interahamwe propagated the belief that the Tutsis were a threat to Hutu dominance and that they needed to be eradicated. This genocidal campaign resulted in the deaths of approximately 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus within a span of about 100 days.

   The term "Interahamwe" has become synonymous with the brutal perpetration of violence during the Rwandan genocide, and its actions serve as a haunting reminder of the horrific consequences of ethnic hatred and extremism.

Common Misspellings for INTERAHAMWE

• interhamwe
• Deuteragamie

Etymology of INTERAHAMWE

The word "Interahamwe" is derived from the Kinyarwanda language, which is the official language of Rwanda. It can be broken down into two components: "intera" and "hamwe".

- "Intera" means "to join" or "to work together" in Kinyarwanda.

- "Hamwe" means "at once" or "together" in Kinyarwanda.

Therefore, "Interahamwe" can be translated roughly as "those who work together" or "those who fight together". This term became well-known as it was adopted by the Interahamwe militia during the Rwandan genocide in 1994.

Similar spelling words for INTERAHAMWE

• interlace,
• interlaced,
• internal,
• internalise,
• internal ear,
• Interlaken,
• interior,
• interchange,
• interior angle,
• interstate,
• intercom,
• interviewer,
• interracial,
• in theory,
• interval,
• interleave,
• interact,
• interoperable,
• interactive,
• interbrain,
• interfere,
• interweave,
• intercalate,
• in truth,
• interviewee,
• interlard,
• internalize,
• interlayer,
• in the raw,
• interplay,
• interracially,
• interface,
• Interleaf.