This dissertation aims to analyse the interaction between the Batwa of Burundi and those engaged with
their ‘development’. Following some months of fieldwork among those Batwa, an attempt is made
here to partially desilence their voice in the debate on the future.
First of all, a reconstruction is made of the separate elements constituting the contemporary Mutwaidentity.
Through the definition of this identity, a brief critical reflection is made upon the political
configuration of the Batwa-question in so-called ‘false twins’ Rwanda and Burundi. Secondly, an
elaboration of certain aspects of the traditional Burundian culture demonstrates how some of these
aspects remain slumbering beneath the surface, wherefrom they often still exert a lot of influence on
peoples’ daily actions. Subsequently, an analysis of both the perception on development of the Batwa
themselves and of those working on it exposes a major dichotomy between both.
Finally, combining both the influence of certain elements of traditional Burundian culture and the
diverging perspectives on development, some major obstacles are exposed that impede substantial
improvement for Burundi’s Batwa in the near future.