BaMbuti Pygmies

Deep in the emerald forests of central Africa live the BaMbuti, a Pygmy race having their own unique way of life and culture. This way of life and culture is intricately patterned by their habitat: the Ituri Forest itself. In the 1950s anthropologist Colin Turnbull visited the BaMbuti of the Ituri Forest. Today the people of the Ituri forest face many dangers that were not as widespread at the time of Turnbulls visits in the 1950s. The Bambuti have suffered from alcoholism and violence at the hands of both rebels and regular armies. Within the forest, their relationships of exchange with local farmers are being severely disrupted by the influx of farmers from outside the area who want to grow cash crops. Pygmy rights to forest lands do not appear to be recognized in customary or national law. The impact of logging in the Ituri also is damaging to their environment. Ironically, the BaMbuti are also at risk due to some conservation initiatives. Plans for a forest reserve to protect the central Ituri Forest, for example, includes an area where hunter-gatherers are not permitted to hunt or gather. Such restrictions would certainly affect the traditional culture of the BaMbuti even though the intentions of the conservationists would help preserve the forest. Colin saw that the pygmies weren't familiarized with the concept of perception becuase they live in a dense forest, therefore they tend to see everything closer. When they saw the perception "witchcraft" they were stunned.