The Pygmy in Africa is also known as pygmies is one of the last groups of short structured people (pygmies), they were the original dwellers of the ancient jungle Bwindi impenetrable national park also known as the forest keepers. The batwa live in the south western districts of Kisoro, kabale, kanungu, Bundibugyo and rukungiri.the size of the Batwa is quite different from other tribes in Uganda the men and women raise to an average of four feet in height the tallest among the Batwa is the shortest in the neighbouring community the Bakiga. The Batwa survived by hunting small game using bows and arrows or nets gathering plants and fruits in the rain forest. They lived in huts structured of leaves and branches moving frequently in search of fresh supplies of food. These people lived in harmony with the forest and its creatures.
The pygmy in Uganda
Traditionally the Batwa lived as hunters residing in huts and caves, each clan collectively owned an area within the forest where they derived food and herbal medicine for their daily living. The forest was their home until Bwindi Impenetrable was gazetted in 1991 as a national park, they were derived from the forest and forced to abandon their nomadic lifestyle.
The oringin of the Pygmies
The Batwa cultural experience was created by the displaced pygmies to educate their children and share their amazing heritage and traditions with the world. The Batwa experience takes place outside the park in an old-growth forest on land that is next to Bwindi impenetrable national park.it begins with a nature walk, hike through the forest seeing the forest in a new way through the eyes of the original forest keepers.
Who are the Batwa
The Batwa trail was launched in 2011 as a way of preserving Batwa culture and traditions and as a way of integrating conservation with cultural development, it offers employment to the Batwa who are engaged in the day-to-day activities in the Batwa trail such as dancers and guides. The Pygmy in Africa gives a good cultural experience to visitors that reach out to Bwindi impenetrable national park involving their cultural ways and experiences,
The Batwa trail is an attraction that runs across the lower slopes of the Muhavura and Gahinga volcanoes in Mgahinga national park, the forest has a variety of wildlife but the Batwa Trail is far from just being a nature walk, the Batwa guides lead through the forest, through them, one would look at the forest as pharmacy, ladder, above all a home. along the trail, you will be able to fire a bow and arrow, check hives for honey, help repair their shelters, harvest plants for medicine, and food light a fire without matches. one will be taught how they used their nets and traps, learn what kind of food is prepared and what they used to eat, show them how they used to stay in caves and grass hutched houses learn about the things they cared for most and almost lost.
The Pygmy in Africa
The Batwa engage in craft making that is sold to the tourists to earn some income for a living. The experience is an interactive time of learning, seeing the forest in both new and old ways. The minimum number for Batwa experience is one and a maximum of 12 .up to 24 people can participate in the morning 12 and 12 in the afternoon.
The Batwa trail is located in Mgahinga national park on the slopes of Virunga volcanoes in southwestern Uganda. the park lies 540km from Kampala and 10km south of Kisoro. Charter flights can be organized from Entebbe airport or Kampala Kajjansi to Kisoro airstrip. A wide choice of lodging is available in Kisoro, basic cottages are provided in the community campground, volcanoes camp provides up-market accommodation as well.
