CONTENTS

Acknowledgements page viii

List of abbreviations x

Map of Rwanda xii

Introduction 1

1 Framing gacaca: six transitional justice themes 29

2 Moulding tradition: the history, law and hybridity of gacaca 47

3 Interpreting gacaca: the rationale for analysing a

dynamic socio-legal institution 81

4 The gacaca journey: the rough road to justice and reconciliation 98

5 Gacaca's modus operandi: engagement through

popular participation 132

6 Gacaca's pragmatic objectives 169

7 Accuser, liberator or reconciler? Truth through gacaca 186

8 Law, order and restoration: peace and justice through gacaca 220

9 Mending hearts and minds: healing and forgiveness

through gacaca 257

10 (Re)fusing social bonds: gacaca and reconciliation 308

Conclusion 342

Glossary 356

Bibliography 357

Index 382