Education can instil conscientisation and stimulate action against injustice. The Batwa ('pygmy') people in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have been severely marginalised. In 2012-2013, violent conflict broke out in Tanganyika, pitting Batwa against dominant groups. Our qualitative interviews evoked a causal relationship between conscientisation -- via non-formal human rights education -- and violence. Our article dispels this idea. Yet, it demonstrates that conscientisation can circulate beyond the confines of educational activities, and be appropriated by a range of actors, including those calling for violence. We thereby advance a critical discussion of the implications of transformative peace education in conflict-affected contexts.