Skip to main content
The Tutsi are one of the native peoples of Rwanda, along with the Hutu and Twa. Historically, the Tutsi and Hutu were known mainly by their role; the Tutsi were mainly pastoral and usually of the nobility and the ruling class while the Hutu were more often peasant farmers, although there were Hutu rulers and Hutu and Tutsi could easily exchange roles. Hutu and Tusi share the same language and culture and intermarriage between Hutu and Tutsi is common (although a Tutsi man marrying a Hutu woman is very rare and a Hutu man marrying a Tutsi woman is quite common).

The Belgians, upon colonizing Rwanda, were taken by the (seemingly) more "European" facial features of the Tutsi (stereotypically, the Tutsi are taller and thinner, with longer, more pointed noses, straighter hair, and more angular features) and favored them over the stockier, medium-sized Hutu. Never mind that there are Hutu who look Tutsi, Tutsi who look Hutu, that many Rwandans fit neither discription and that intermarriage is common, this played a huge role in creating tension between Hutu and Tutsi... thus leading to the 1994 genocide.
By Belgian definition, a Tutsi was a person with more than ten cow and a long, pointed nose, while a Hutu was a person with less than ten cows and a broad, short nose. Discriminatory? I think so.

Tutsi were referred to by the Radio-Television des Los Mille Collines as "cockroaches," thus showing how the Hutu felt about them.
tutsi by Lorelili November 7, 2006
Urban Dictionary Merch
Your favorite words on things you can wear, drink from, read, or give to a friend.
The Urban Dictionary Store sells gifts you’ll have to explain.
The Tutsi are one of three native peoples of the nations of Rwanda and Burundi in central Africa, the other two being the Twa and the Hutu. The Twa (or Watwa) are a pygmy people and the original inhabitants. The Hutu (or Wahutu) are a people of Bantu origin, and since they moved into the area they dominated the Twa. Large numbers of all three were slaughtered in the Rwandan Genocide of 1994.
The Tutsi are traditionally farmers and cattle herders. Cattle are a symbol of power and wealth, and have enabled the Tutsi to dominate the agricultural Hutu. They hold virtually all positions of importance in Burundi's government and army. Hutu rebellions were brutally suppressed in 1972 and 1988, and massacres followed the assassination of the first democratically elected Hutu president of Burundi 1993. In Rwanda, bloody ethnic violence erupted 1994 after the presidents of both Rwanda and Burundi were killed in an aircrash.
tutsi by herbiewa July 13, 2006
(Noun) The Tutsi are one of the native peoples of Rwanda, along with the Hutu and Twa.

(Verb) After the 1994 genocide perpetrated by the Tutsi tribe, the verb to Tutsi something was to metaphorically massacre it.

In very poor taste, but quite funny.
"We absolutely Tutsi-ed them 5-0 today." = "We absolutely stuffed them 5-0."
tutsi by soyabant December 13, 2008

Tutsi-ed all up and down 

To be hacked to death with a machete. Bonus points if you die in central Africa.
800,000 brothas and sistas got Tutsi-ed all up and down in 1994.

Tutsi Roll 

another name for a mass grave in Rwanda.
When Don Cheadle was in Rwanda for filming, he went to a "Tutsi Roll" for inspiration.
Tutsi Roll by Con Dheadle July 19, 2010

Tutsi Roll 

Switching positions during sex with a Rwandan man or woman.
New video on PornHub. Rwandan couple can’t stop doing Tutsi Roll’s.
Tutsi Roll by BeastEJ December 14, 2018

tutsi pop 

A very cherry tart flavored lollipop with a bubblegum center.

Also a great nickname for a gal pal ☺️
On Fridays I give Ceseley a Tutsi pop for all her hard work at the cafe.
tutsi pop by Donvito2112 April 3, 2022
More from Urban Dictionary

briefcake 

"Did you check out the briefcake in courtroom C?"
briefcake by Ben Frey April 6, 2006
Word of the Day on November 3, 2026
Brought to public attention by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein in the book on the fall of Richard Nixon, All The President’s Men, ratfucker was Nixon’s term for a political operative who sows chaos among opponents; an agent provocateur. It is thought to have originated among campus political rivalries at USC, and seems to have some usage in the US military.
Along with Nixon’s other ratfuckers, Roger Stone caused fights at otherwise peaceful Democratic Party protests to generate a false narrative that the Democrats were violent and dangerous.
Ratfucker by Ricky Ramjet November 2, 2017
Word of the Day on November 2, 2026

countrypolitan 

Term used to describe someone who is a mix of both rural (country) and urban (metropolitan) lifestyles/upbringings. He/she is typically equally comfortable in both settings and is able to seamlessly slip back and forth between the two, appreciating the characteristics of each.
That ol' gal of mine drives the 12 lane freeway during the week and a John Deere on the weekends. She likes opra and the Grand Ol' Opry. I love them countrypolitan women.
countrypolitan by MOChick November 7, 2006
Word of the Day on November 1, 2026

Witch Bath 

A bath consisting of a variety of slats, oils, soaps or any other added ingredients such as fruits, milks, herbs or any other spices for health or beautifying benifits.
She brought home alot of stuff and took it to the bathroom. She must be taking a witch bath.
Witch Bath by carnieboy30 October 26, 2020
Word of the Day on October 31, 2026
Load more