Burundi Colonial Records

German Colonization (1885-1919)
Colonized by Germany in 1885 as part of German East Africa, which included present-day Burundi, Rwanda, and parts of Tasmania. After Germany was defeated in World War I, German East Africa was divided and Burundi became a Belgium-controlled Class B Mandate.

Belgium Colonization (1919-1962)
Formerly known as Ruanda-Urundi, the area was occupied by Belgium during World War I. After the war, a League of Nations mandate stated that Ruana-Urundi would remain under Belgium control as a Class B Mandate. The Mandate was formally dissolved in 1962, with the colony becoming the separate contries of Ruanda and Burundi.