23 Clemantine Wamariya’s The Girl Who Smiled Beads
In This Chapter
Author Background
Clemantine Wamariya was born in 1988 in Kigali, Rwanda. In 1994, at the age of six, she and her older sister Claire fled Rwanda due to the outbreak of the Rwandan genocide. For the next six years, they were displaced, moving between refugee camps in several African countries, including Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tanzania. They faced hunger, violence, and constant uncertainty during their time as refugees.
In 2000, Clemantine and Claire were granted refugee status in the United States and resettled in Chicago. Clemantine attended high school in Illinois and later graduated from Yale University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Comparative Literature.
Writing Career
Clemantine Wamariya gained international attention when she appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show in 2006, sharing her experiences as a survivor of the Rwandan genocide. Her appearance and powerful storytelling caught the public’s attention and led to various speaking engagements and advocacy opportunities.
In recent years, Wamariya has become known as an author and human rights advocate. In 2018, she co-authored a memoir titled The Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story of War and What Comes After with Elizabeth Weil. The memoir chronicles her experiences as a child during the Rwandan genocide and her subsequent journey as a refugee and survivor. The Girl Who Smiled Beads received critical acclaim for its honest and poignant exploration of trauma, resilience, and the search for identity.
Activism
Clemantine Wamariya has used her platform to raise awareness about the experiences of refugees, the impact of war and genocide, and the importance of empathy and understanding. She has been a prominent speaker at conferences, universities, and events worldwide, sharing her story and advocating for human rights, particularly for displaced individuals and communities.
View Wamariya’s 2013 TEDx Talk at Yale University to hear the inspiration behind her memoir, The Girl Who Smiled Beads:
Next, view Wamariya’s 2017 TED Talk, “War and What Comes After”:
- How did Clemantine Wamariya’s experiences as a child refugee during the war shape her worldview and perspective on life?
- In what ways did Clemantine’s story challenge your understanding of the refugee experience?
- What did you find most compelling or memorable about Clemantine’s journey and resilience?
- How does Clemantine’s story highlight the long-lasting effects of war and trauma on individuals and communities?
- What role did storytelling and the sharing of personal narratives play in Clemantine’s healing process?
- What insights can be gained from Clemantine’s story about the importance of empathy, compassion, and understanding towards refugees and displaced persons?
- What lessons can be learned from Clemantine’s journey about the power of education and access to opportunities for individuals affected by war and displacement?
- In what ways can Clemantine’s story inspire action and create awareness about the experiences and challenges faced by refugees globally?
If you are able, read The Girl Who Smiled Beads. At the time of publication, I could not find a free open access copy, but the book is certainly worth the purchase or a trip to your local library.
The following discussion questions can help guide conversations about the themes, experiences, and impact of The Girl Who Smiled Beads. Alternatively, they could be used as writing prompts for individual reflection. They encourage readers to delve deeper into the memoir, share perspectives, and explore the complexities of Clemantine Wamariya’s journey as portrayed in her powerful narrative.
- Reflect on the title, The Girl Who Smiled Beads. What does it signify in the context of Clemantine’s journey? How does the act of smiling beads represent resilience, survival, or a coping mechanism throughout her experiences?
- Discuss the impact of war and genocide on Clemantine’s life. How does the Rwandan genocide shape her identity, relationships, and worldview? How does she navigate the complexities of trauma, loss, and displacement?
- Explore the themes of memory and storytelling in the memoir. How does Clemantine’s narrative intertwine personal recollections with broader historical events? How does memory evolve and transform over time, and how does it influence her healing process?
- Reflect on the significance of identity and belonging in The Girl Who Smiled Beads. How does Clemantine grapple with questions of identity as a survivor, refugee, and immigrant? How does her understanding of identity change throughout her journey?
- Discuss the role of family and relationships in Clemantine’s life. How do her connections with her sister Claire, her parents, and other individuals shape her experiences and sense of self? How does she navigate the complexities of love, loss, and reconciliation within her family?
- Explore the themes of resilience and hope in the memoir. How does Clemantine find moments of strength and hope amidst adversity? What personal qualities or external factors contribute to her ability to persevere and rebuild her life?
- Discuss the challenges and complexities of the refugee experience portrayed in the book. What are some of the specific hardships faced by Clemantine and other refugees? How does the book shed light on the larger issues of displacement, refuge, and the treatment of refugees?
- Discuss the themes of forgiveness and healing in The Girl Who Smiled Beads. How does Clemantine navigate forgiveness, both for others and for herself? How does she find healing and reconciliation amidst the pain and trauma she has experienced?
Sources
Wamariya, Clemantine and Elizabeth Weil. The Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story About War and What Comes After. Doubleday Canada, 2018.
Wamariya, Clemantine. “The Girl Who Smiled Beads: Clemantine Wamariya at TEDxYale.” YouTube, uploaded by TEDxTalks, 2 Jun. 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-ykzg5UUlo
Wamariya, Clemantine. “War and What Comes After.” TEDWomen 2017, https://www.ted.com/talks/clemantine_wamariya_war_and_what_comes_after
