Country Information on Burundi

Terrain Most of the country's area is dominated by a hilly highland plateau elevating to an average 1,520 m above sea level. To the east and south-east the highland is dropping evenly. A thin fringe area limited by the river Rusisi and Lake Tanganyika is located within the East African Rift Valley system. The most important rivers are the Rusisi, Malagarasi, and Ruvuvu. The country's highest elevation is Mount Heha (2,670 m). Climate The climate is equatorial but temperatures are generally moderate as the average altitude is about 1,700m. The average annual temperature varies with altitude from 24.4 to 21.1 degrees centigrade. Average annual rainfall is about 150 cm. Wet seasons are from February to May and September to November, and dry seasons from June to August and December to January. Fauna/Flora Savannah vegetation (grassland interspersed with trees) predominates in most of the country. Eucalyptus, acacia, and oil palm are the most common trees. The diverse wildlife includes elephants, leopards, hippopotamuses, crocodiles, wild boars, antelope, monkeys, flying lemurs, guinea fowls, partridges, ducks, geese, quails, and snipes. History/Politics In the early 14th century the Hutu arrived in the region, probably from the Congo River basin. They imposed their language and customs on the Twa, who are believed to be Burundi's original inhabitants. In the 15th century the Tutsi rulers of neighbouring Rwanda moved to Burundi, subjugated the Hutu and established a kingdom. In the late 1880s the Germans occupied Burundi (back then called Urundi). Burundi and Rwanda were eventually incorporated into German East Africa. After World War I, the area was mandated to Belgium by the League of Nations. Following World War II, it became a United Nations (UN) trust territory administrated by Belgium. In 1962 the state became an independent constitutional monarchy. However, political rivalry jeopardized the country's stability. The power was in the hands of the Tutsi although the Hutu had gained the majority in the legislative assembly in the 1965 election. A group of Hutu soldiers and policemen attempted a coup against the King or "Mwami" Mwambutsa IV in 1965. Loyal Tutsi-soldiers, however, put down the revolt. They were led by Captain Michel Micombero, who, only four months later, deposed the king's son who had in turn deposed his father. Micombero declared Burundi a republic, appointed himself president and founded a National Revolutionary Committee, which was meant to strengthen his regime and to promote economic growth. In 1972 a revolt of the Hutu led to a massacre the king's son Ntare (who had been placed under house arrest) also fell victim to. Although it was suppressed, a period of political unrest continued during which thousands of Hutu sought refuge in the neighbouring countries. In 1981 the one party system was introduced in Burundi. Jean Baptiste Bagaza, who was president from 1976 to 1987, was overthrown in a military coup in 1987. The new president was Major Pierre Buyoya, who ruled the country with the help of the Military Committee for the Nation's Rescue. In August 1988 civil unrest involving Hutu and Tutsi started again, leaving approximately 5000 victims. In 1992, after a referendum, a new constitution was adopted, which guaranteed a multiparty system. In 1993 the first democratic presidential elections of independent Burundi were held. The Hutu and member of the Democratic Front of Burundi Melchior Ndadaye won the elections with a majority of 60%, but was killed in an attempted coup less than one month later. This was followed by a series of violent clashes between the two ethnic groups, which caused thousands to flee to neighbouring Rwanda. In July 1996 the Tutsi Pierre Buyoya again assumed power through a military coup. Economy Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world. The economy is predominately agricultural with major products being coffee, beans, rice, manioc and bananas. The coffee crop accounts for the major part of foreign exchange earnings but the country still has to put up with a negative trade balance. Economic austerity measures have widened the gap between ethnic groups. Ethnic-based instability resulting from political instability has strongly impaired production and the economic capacity of Burundi. Culture Burundians cherish strong literary traditions that have been handed down for generations. Folk tales and fables are often set to music and no distinction whatsoever is made between music and poetry. The Tutsi are particularly known for their epic songs and dynastic poetry, strongly flavoured with traditional mythology. Cattle, local history, and the travels of the god Imana throughout the country are the most important themes of Burundian literary and musical traditions. Tall, splendidly adorned intore dancers and tambourinaires (drummers) were traditionally entertainers for the royal elite and travellers.