Esther Kamatari
Encyclopedia
Princess Esther Kamatari (born 1951) is a writer
, model
, and exiled Burundi
an princess
.
Esther Kamatari grew up in Burundi
as a member of the royal family
. Following independence
in 1962, the king was overthrown in a military
coup d'etat
, and the monarchy
abolished in 1966. Kamatari fled the country in 1970 after her father's assassination
and settled in Paris
, where she became a model. An attempt to re-establish the kingdom ended with the murder of King
Ntare V
in 1972.
Burundi's post-independence history has been dominated by tensions between the Hutu
majority and the Tutsi
minority. The civil war
of the 1990s in Burundi and conflicts with neighbouring countries and the plight of thousands of child-victims of war led her to become involved with the Association of the People of Burundi in France
. In Burundi she is known for her humanitarian work.
A peace
brokered by South Africa
has made elections possible in Burundi, and Esther Kamatari and her Abahuza
party, which means "bringing people together," will run on the platform of restoration of the monarchy.
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, model
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
, and exiled Burundi
Burundi
Burundi , officially the Republic of Burundi , is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Its capital is Bujumbura...
an princess
Princess
Princess is the feminine form of prince . Most often, the term has been used for the consort of a prince, or his daughters....
.
Esther Kamatari grew up in Burundi
Burundi
Burundi , officially the Republic of Burundi , is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Its capital is Bujumbura...
as a member of the royal family
Royal family
A royal family is the extended family of a king or queen regnant. The term imperial family appropriately describes the extended family of an emperor or empress, while the terms "ducal family", "grand ducal family" or "princely family" are more appropriate to describe the relatives of a reigning...
. Following independence
Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state in which its residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory....
in 1962, the king was overthrown in a military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
coup d'etat
Coup d'état
A coup d'état state, literally: strike/blow of state)—also known as a coup, putsch, and overthrow—is the sudden, extrajudicial deposition of a government, usually by a small group of the existing state establishment—typically the military—to replace the deposed government with another body; either...
, and the monarchy
Monarchy
A monarchy is a form of government in which the office of head of state is usually held until death or abdication and is often hereditary and includes a royal house. In some cases, the monarch is elected...
abolished in 1966. Kamatari fled the country in 1970 after her father's assassination
Assassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
and settled in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, where she became a model. An attempt to re-establish the kingdom ended with the murder of King
Monarch
A monarch is the person who heads a monarchy. This is a form of government in which a state or polity is ruled or controlled by an individual who typically inherits the throne by birth and occasionally rules for life or until abdication...
Ntare V
Ntare V
Ntare V of Burundi was the king of Burundi from june to November 1966. Until his accession, he was known as Crown Prince Charles Ndizeye. He deposed his father, Mwambutsa IV in 1966...
in 1972.
Burundi's post-independence history has been dominated by tensions between the Hutu
Hutu
The Hutu , or Abahutu, are a Central African people, living mainly in Rwanda, Burundi, and eastern DR Congo.-Population statistics:The Hutu are the largest of the three peoples in Burundi and Rwanda; according to the United States Central Intelligence Agency, 84% of Rwandans and 85% of Burundians...
majority and the Tutsi
Tutsi
The Tutsi , or Abatutsi, are an ethnic group in Central Africa. Historically they were often referred to as the Watussi or Watusi. They are the second largest caste in Rwanda and Burundi, the other two being the Hutu and the Twa ....
minority. The civil war
Burundi Civil War
The Burundi Civil War was an armed conflict lasting from 1993 to 2005. The civil war was the result of long standing ethnic divisions between the Hutu and the Tutsi tribes in Burundi...
of the 1990s in Burundi and conflicts with neighbouring countries and the plight of thousands of child-victims of war led her to become involved with the Association of the People of Burundi in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. In Burundi she is known for her humanitarian work.
A peace
Peace
Peace is a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict. Commonly understood as the absence of hostility, peace also suggests the existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationships, prosperity in matters of social or economic welfare, the...
brokered by South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
has made elections possible in Burundi, and Esther Kamatari and her Abahuza
Abahuza
The Abahuza party is a monarchist political party in Burundi. Officially called the Party for the Restoration of Monarchy and Dialogue in Burundi, Abahuza literally means “The Reconciliators” in the Kirundi language. The party was registered with Burundi’s Interior Ministry on September 20, 2004...
party, which means "bringing people together," will run on the platform of restoration of the monarchy.
Marriage and children
Esther is married to a French man named Gilles. He is a doctor. They have two children, Jade and Arthur. Esther already had a daughter, Frédérique, from a previous relationship.Publications
- Kamatari, E. and Renault, M. 2001. Princesse des Rugo, mon histoire. Bayard, ISBN 2-227-13914-5
External links
- BBC News, Princess for President of Burundi
- Afrol News, Burundi Princess, top model seeks presidency
- Information about the Dutch translation of Esther Kamatari's autobiography
See also
- List of African writers (by country)#Burundi