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 The Guardians of the Forest

Batwa people also known as “Twa” are believed to be one of the Africa’s oldest indigenous people  that inhabited the Great Lakes Region. They are estimated 6,200 Batwa with an average height of 140cm.

 In Uganda they lived in the Bwindi Forest and Mgahinga Forest for centuries due to their forest dwelling lifestyle before they were evicted from the forest to protect the Mountain Gorillas in 1991.

 Since then, the life of Batwa people changed completely as they had to adapt to modern lifestyle as compared to the forest dwelling life. Now Batwa live in areas near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Ruhija, Buhoma, Rushaga, Buhoma sectors and Mgahinga.

“The keeper’s of the forest” have a rich history as hunters, gatherers and cultural heritage deep rooted in the harmony with Nature. Despite being displaced from their ancestral land, their culture continues to captivate the visitors on Uganda Gorilla Safaris.

Batwa Cultural Trail

What is the history and  origin of the Batwa people of Uganda?

Batwa of Uganda are the believed to be the oldest African indigenous groups to occupy the Great lakes region in Bwindi and Mgahinga Forest for centuries. Their origin dates back at the time of creation due to ancient tales told by the older Batwa.

It is believed that there was a man named kihanga who had his three sons Katutsi, Kahutu and Katwa. He gave them a task to protect the milk calabashes to taste their responsibility. The boys stayed with the calabashes throughout the night and in the morning they were called by their father. Katutsi had his calabash full, kahutu had half way and Katwa’s calabash was empty.

This prompted him to give them gifts based on their performance .  Katutsi was given the father’s cows since he was more responsible, Kahutu was given seeds and a hoe to grow their food , and Katwa was gifted the forest and everything in it and he would use it to his survival and future generations thus the forest dwelling lifestyle where they gather fruits, hunt for animals, medicine among others.

Eviction from the ancestral land “forest”

In early 1990’s , Semliki National park was declared a Protected area and evicted all that had occupied the park including The Batwa.

To protect the Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi and Mgahinga forests, the Batwa were evicted by Mgahinga and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Conservation Trust without their consent and will. Some families were given some land leases while majority were not and they are squatters now.

Social and economic lifestyle of the Batwa people of Uganda

Batwa people are true guardians of the forest and their strong affiliation to the forest is depicted in the way of life. They gathered fruits from the forest which they depended on as food and collected honey from the bee hives in the forest. Additionally they hunted for animals like wild pigs, duikers from the forest for food and sacrifices to their ancestors.

The Batwa family is comprised of father , mother , children who live in small temporary houses built with poles, leaves, grasses from the forest. The role of the father and the boys is to hunt in the forest, collect honey , build houses and  protect the home in case of the attack. The mothers and the girls look after the children, cooking, collecting firewood.

Their knowledge for forest made them good herbalists as they use the tree leaves, roots, barks as medicine. They knew the medicinal plants which they used to treat diseases.

The Batwa were very skilled in crafting tools like spears, bows, arrows, making clay pots from forest resources which they used in their daily lives.

With their eviction from the forest, it limited their access to the forest and they had to learn the new ways of life which were not easy due to poverty and discrimination from the communities .

Batwa people of Uganda

The spiritual beliefs and rituals of Batwa people of Uganda

Batwa people had their supreme god called Imaana. The forest was their holy place where they prayed and worshiped god who provided food, shelter, protection, medicine to the Batwa People.

They offered sacrifices to their gods to thank them for the protection. When ever a baby was born, they would put the arrow and bow in the hands of the baby as a sign of protection from the gods.

The Batwa practiced monogamy although sometimes they would exchange girls and this was known as barter marriage. Most of the marriages in the Batwa were arrange by their respective families and in the case of the barter marriage, the two girls were made to face each other especially during the marriage ceremonies which was a sign of their shared future in marriage.

After the marriage ceremony, the father of the bride always introduced her to the family of the spirits. And in case the woman was barren, the man was always encouraged to get another woman who could bear children for the continuity of his lineage. Non Batwa people cannot marry Batwa people but the men who live around have always raped the Batwa women with a belief that they will get cured of Aids.

Adultery was also not allowed among the Batwa people. Bride purchasing during marriages as is the norm now was not accepted but a few gifts were given to the family of the bride and these were wild meat and honey. The meat of the squirrel was the one mostly used since it was hard to hunt and during the marriage it was given to the mother in law.

They hardly practiced inheritance ceremonies since the Batwa people owned few possessions and upon death, the family members would be given the possessions to own. The dead were normally buried in huts or cremated and the place where they were buried was always abandoned.

They were also buried in caves and rocks but this was before they were chased out of the Bwindi forest for conservation. After the death of a beloved one, a medicine man would come by to cleanse the bereaved family members so that the spirit of the deceased would not attack them.Batwa people of Uganda

What problems  are the Batwa people facing today?

Batwa people are facing numerous problems ever since they were evicted from the forest to protect Mountain Gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Park.

They do not own land and they were not compensated when they were evicted. This made most of them squatters on non Batwa land thus leading to their suffering. The government claimed that these people lived on a gazetted land so they didn’t qualify to get compensated.

Batwa people don’t have access to healthy services like hospitals and health centers. Before they had access to the forest were they would collect medicines for treating their illnesses but now some have to walk very long distances to get medical treatment from health centers. They also have high HIV prevalence and they don’t access medicine in time which is a major challenge.

The stigma and marginalization of the Batwa people in Uganda by the Bantu people like Bakiga makes their lives hard. Sometimes they accuse them to be gorilla killers, poachers yet they were living harmoniously in the forest before the Bantu who cut down the forest to grow crops.

Batwa children don’t have access to the education services. This is due to the high poverty levels for their parents who can no afford to pay their school fees and buy scholastic materials. The children end up dropping out of school and provide cheap labour while the girls are married off at an early age.

Batwa cultural tours

Tourism has become part of the survival of the Batwa people, helping them preserve their cultural heritage and generate income. Visitors from all over the world visit the Batwa Cultural trail in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park or experience the Batwa community through village walks near Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

These programs offer unique experiences for the visitors including the storytelling , traditional dances, demonstration of the ancient hunting techniques. Such initiatives do not only provide financial support for the Batwa but also spread awareness and preservation of the Batwa culture to the visitors.

Why visit the Batwa Cultural Trail in Uganda?

A visit to the Batwa cultural trial and community offers a rare glimpse in the unique way of life that has stood a test of time. Its an opportunity to learn about their harmonious relationship with nature and contribute to their cultural preservation.

Whether combined with Gorilla Trekking or Batwa cultural tour, meeting the Batwa is unforgettable experience added to any Uganda safari.

The Batwa people of Uganda are a testament to resilience and cultural pride despite the challenges they faced after their eviction from the forest. By visiting the Batwa during the Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, you play a critical role to safe guarding their traditions and empower their communities.

Frequently Asked questions about the Batwa People of Uganda

  1. Who are the Batwa people of Uganda?

The Batwa, also known as “Twa,” are one of Africa’s oldest indigenous groups who lived as forest-dwelling hunter-gatherers in the Bwindi and Mgahinga Forests. Known as the “Guardians of the Forest,” they have a rich cultural heritage deeply connected to nature. They were evicted from their ancestral lands in 1991 to protect Mountain Gorillas, leading to significant lifestyle changes.

  1. What challenges do Batwa people face today?

The Batwa face numerous challenges, including lack of land ownership, poverty, marginalization, limited access to education, and healthcare services. Many live as squatters, and their cultural identity is at risk due to displacement and stigmatization from surrounding communities.

  1. How can I support Batwa Community?

You can support the Batwa by visiting their cultural trails in Bwindi or Mgahinga, purchasing their crafts, and participating in their traditional performances. Donations to community projects and organizations advocating for their rights also help improve their living conditions and preserve their culture.

  1. Is Batwa Cultural Trail worth visiting?

Absolutely! The Batwa Cultural Trail offers a unique opportunity to learn about their traditional lifestyle, forest survival skills, music, and dances. It’s an enriching cultural experience that not only educates but also supports the community by preserving their heritage and generating income.

Book your Uganda Cultural Tour or Gorilla Tracking safari with Exclusive Gorilla Vacations today and create forgettable memories with the Batwa people of Uganda. , we invite you to explore the rich cultural heritage of Uganda and be inspired by the timeless heritage of the culture of the Batwa.

 

 

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