"How could it be possible to know a person's identity with certainty enough to kill?" asked Liisa Malkii when she interviewed Hutu refugees who had fled slaughter in Burundi. "There are symbols for recognizing a Hutu," one man replied 1/n
One - the hands. Two - ankle bones. Three - the calves. Four - gums. And "the fifth symbol was the language spoken - since the Tutsi do not speak like the Hutu." 2/n
"Their voice, their language... They have a haughtiness in their language... Example: For 'you!'—do you understand? You! ... So for 'you!' the Hutu says 'sha!' The Tutsi says 'hya!'..." 3/n
"Or then the word for 'goat': the Hutu says 'impene.' The Tutsi says 'ihene.' And other differences which which differentiate the languages. It is a language which truly grates. With their pride! Arrogance!" 4/n
Six - the fashion of walking. Seven - the nose. Eight - the eyes. Nine - height.
These are the symbols according to which someone's identity could be known with certainty, and on that basis they could be killed.
These are the symbols according to which someone's identity could be known with certainty, and on that basis they could be killed.
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