Machete Season

Once the killing started, the gang kept returning each day to keep killing. What reasons do they give for continuing to kill? Does Hatzfeld find some of these reasons more convincing than others?

What did the Hutu women do during the genocide? Were they as guilty of charges of genocide as their husbands?

Adalbert was one of the youngest killers in the group, and Ignace the oldest. What did they have in common? How and what did each contribute to the group’s cohesion?

How do the killers view their killing like their work as farmers?

What are three important events in Rwandan history that contributed to the genocide?

Hatzfeld discusses the gang’s many motives for killing. Which motive is the strongest?

Hatzfeld believes that the gang identity was important in multiple ways. It helps explain why they killed and why they deny personal responsibility for killing. Discuss this phenomenon, with examples from two gang members.

The killers are adamant that they were only obeying orders. Is this a convincing defense for their actions? Specifically, consider Joseph-Désiré Bitero’s defense in your answer.