Zura Karuhimbi

Zura Karuhimbi (c. 1925 – 17 December 2018) was a Rwandan woman who saved more than 100 people from being killed by Hutu militias during the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda. A traditional healer, she hid the refugees in her house and deterred attackers by masquerading as a witch. Her role was recognized in 2006 by the award of the Campaign Against Genocide Medal by Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

Quotes

• During the genocide, I saw the darkness of a man's heart.
  • "world-africa-46618482", Rwanda's Zura Karuhimbi, who saved dozens from genocide (22 December 2018)

• I used to say, 'If they die, I will also die'.
  • "world-africa-46618482", Rwanda's Zura Karuhimbi, who saved dozens from genocide (22 December 2018)

• I remember one Saturday, they came back again,I confronted them as usual, warning them that by killing the refugees in my house, they were digging their own graves.
  • "world-africa-46618482", Rwanda's Zura Karuhimbi, who saved dozens from genocide (22 December 2018)

• I only believed in one God and the thing of magical power was just an invention and cover I was using to save lives.
  • "world-africa-46618482", Rwanda's Zura Karuhimbi, who saved dozens from genocide (22 December 2018)

• I am not a witchdoctor.
  • "world-africa-46618482", Rwanda's Zura Karuhimbi, who saved dozens from genocide (22 December 2018)

• Money could not cost me lives of Rwandans.
  • "meet-mukaruhimbi-whose-prank-saved-100-tutsi/", Zura interacting with area residents. She says nobody should hurt others (15 April 2015)

• One day, President Paul Kagame visited our village and said 'if everyone was a witch doctor like me, genocide could not have happened'
  • "meet-mukaruhimbi-whose-prank-saved-100-tutsi/", Zura interacting with area residents. She says nobody should hurt others (15 April 2015)