The Batwa pygmies of Bwindi – Discover the indigenous group of Bwindi forest
Encounter the Batwa pygmies of Bwindi on an unforgettable Uganda historical Safari
The Batwa are an indigenous group of people who originally lived in the ancient Bwindi Forest in Uganda until it was gazetted as a national park. The Batwa are believed to have migrated from the Ituri Forest of the Democratic Republic of Congo in search of wild animals to hunt.
The Batwa lived in harmony in the jungle with forest animals including the mountain gorillas. Encountering these amazing people will make you not just get amazed by how they still live theirlives but also at how creative and harmonious they can be.
The Batwa were regarded as the Keepers of the forest. They have a low life expectancy and a high infant mortality rate.
The Batwa lived a lifestyle of gathering fruit and plant and hunting in the forest using bows and arrows.
The establishment of the forest as a National Park with an aim of protecting the rare mountain gorillas let to the eviction of the Batwa from the forests.
They had to change their lifestyle because they had been introduced to a life they were not used to.
It was very hard for them to get used to the new environment because they had no money to survive or even land.
Since the Batwa are not allowed to stay in the forests, the Batwa culture had started to diminish since 1992 after their eviction.
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Nevertheless, things began to change by 2011 when Uganda Wildlife in conjunction with USAID plus the Embassy of the Netherlands in Kampala started the Batwa Cultural Trail founded in Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
On this trail the tourists that visit the park and are interested in culture are led by Batwa locals through the jungle, they basically teach the tourists their ancient gathering and hunting ways.
After the visit Batwa Guides head back to their community, the Batwa also receives a percentage of the Batwa Trail Fees.
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In conclusion, the Batwa communities are still struggling to reintroduce the production of honey, despite the several challenges attached to the current way of life they are being forced to live.
Groups of Batwa people together with other supportive partner organizations are working tirelessly to lobby the National Forestry Authority and the Uganda Wildlife Authority to periodically allow some communities to raise their traditional bee-hives at the fringes of the forests and national parks.
The old Batwa men also spend time teaching the children how to detect wild honey, as well as demonstrating the construction of traditional bee hives, while women mainly deal with a collection of tubers and fruits as well as foraging. Why miss out on this beautiful encounter, book your Batwa Pygmy safari now with Nata Adventures Safaris or click here for more information.
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