Over centuries, the three socio-economic classes found in Rwanda, namely the Hutus, Tutsis and Twas, intermarried and many share clan linkages. Collectively, this helped to consolidate their commonality. Unfortunately, bad politics in the past failed to exploit this commonality as a basis for nation building. Instead, class distinctions were transformed into ethnic differences which were, in turn, used to sow seeds of alienation and exclusionism that led to the genocide of 1994.

Throughout history, capable local artists have captured and continue to capture many features of Rwandese culture in physical form through carvings and drawings. Many of these artefacts, to be found along the streets of Kigali or the homesteads on the rolling hills and in valleys across the country, are increasingly becoming the basis of a growing industry in cultural products. Many of these are already being sold in Europe and USA.