A
day off for a cultural encounter at Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is one of the remarkable experiences of a kind
with the “Batwa pygmies”. If others have shared stories about their creation, then
why not interact with the natives of the Bwindi Impenetrable forest-the Batwa
pygmies? The Batwa experience means a tourist leaves the destination with
elusive lessons on authentic life style in the forest and traditions of the Batwa
people who found treasure of life in the dense rain forest in South Western
Uganda. There are a lot of things that make the Batwa pygmies more unique than
you might have heard! Come and you will appreciate that God rewards every one differently
and in deed it is not just staring at the eyes or heights of the Batwa pygmies
but also exceed travel expectations while exploring the Batwa people who lived
in this rain forest for 500,000 years. The fact is that God gave them the rain
forest, also means they were the first people to have a home in Bwindi
Impenetrable forest and no tribe can claim their origin in the forest if it is
not the Batwa pygmies.
The Batwa making fire
If
Mount Morungole gave life to the endangered Ik people in North-Eastern Uganda,
then Bwindi Impenetrable Forest exceedingly provided more than life to the
Batwa pygmies; they left less foot prints in the jungle because it was all about
mutual interaction with nature and taking what is needed! This might seem
surprising because our interests differ, others it would have been the order of
the day struggling for ownership of the forest or piece of land here but this
was different with the Batwa pygmies who peacefully lived in the forest and in
return maintained their traditions without any external influence not even those
who used to go to their places.
Currently,
mountain gorilla safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable forest and the Batwa
experiences are incorporated in visitors’ itineraries and it has helped to keep
the Batwa traditional practices so that they extend to future generations and improve
on the quality of Visitor’s cultural experiences in the community. This
experience is guided by the Batwa guides who take tourists via the forest for authentic
demonstration of Batwa ancient practices like handling the bow and arrow that
was used while hunting and gathering traditional herbs for treatment. It is an
incredible moment to see you discover the value of forest products or share the
enriching Batwa cultural food!
The bow and arrow
To
begin your day, the Batwa encounters are done around the adjacent communities
at the park which starts with hike and nature walk via Bwindi Impenetrable
forest, staring through the eyes of the unique pygmies “The keepers of the
forest”. Before conservation came to pass, the gazetted places were used as hunting
areas by natives around them and incredibly, discover the ancient hunting tools
the Batwa pygmies used to look for food, how they survived in grass thatched
houses and sacred caves like the Garama caves. The Garama cave was a residential
place for the Batwa king and you will discover that outsiders were never
permitted to access this sacred place unless a person had “special permission”,
and notably this place was used for safety purposes. If you are so fearful or
frightened, you only need to chill as the guides lead you down where darkness
welcomes you with a thrill of mournful voices from the Batwa women lamenting
why they are no longer in their most beloved rain forest. As the dim light torches
tear apart the darkness from the sacred cave, an exciting dance is performed
before you and it will look as if tears are falling down but it is to make your
stay the most memorable with the Batwa pygmies. In deed this is a life time experience you
must not miss to encounter after your Mountain gorilla adventure at Bwindi
Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.
The Garama caves
The Batwa house
We
highly appreciate your interaction with the Batwa people because your visit
shows sign of respect to the Batwa pygmies and their traditions and hence it is
one way of renewing ancient pride the Batwa had before the place was gazetted
as tourist destination that forced them out of the jungle. While out of the
forest, it was one of the worst experiences for the Batwa pygmies as many
described them “primitive” and “uncultured” and hence they felt out of the
place.
Be
part of the most interactive experience which involves intense learning to help
you compare between the current look of the forest and the ancient practices in
the forest only when you are at the Buhoma sector-Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Do you have plans to interact with the ancient forest inhabitants? Book or
incorporate your mountain gorilla safari with the Batwa experiences at Bwindi
Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. We honor your
safari at Bwindi Impenetrable forest and the support that you give to the Batwa
Development Program. For authentic African safari experiences in Uganda,
contact Maranatha Tours and Travel
and your safari will be made possible!!
In
conclusion, visiting Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla
National Park is more than just the mountain gorillas, forest birds or golden
monkeys but also destination to explore authentic cultural practices like
dances, life style in the forest, demonstration of ancient hunting techniques
and enriched interaction with unique Batwa pygmies.
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