Visiting the Batwa People
The Batwa people can no longer live in the Forests. Their cultural ways have been rapidly diminishing since their eviction. However, things are changing a bit.
In 2011, the Uganda Wildlife Authority, assisted by money from the Netherlands Embassy in Kampala, began the now-famous Batwa Cultural Trail in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. Where members of the Batwa Community lead tourists through the Forest and teach the visitors about their ancient ways of hunting and gathering. The Batwa Guides get to return to the Rainforest and keep their traditions alive, at least in spirit. The Batwa communities receive half of the Batwa Trail Fees, and tips are accepted.
The International Gorilla Conservation Program worked with the Batwa Community and began the Buniga Batwa Forest Walk and village visit program. It is at the south end of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, and Buniga Forest is not part of Bwindi National Park. However, the vegetation, wildlife, and primates are similar, and one sees a few chimpanzees. At the same time, the Forest Walk with Batwa Guides keeps the traditions and cultural ways of the Batwa People alive.
There is also the Batwa Experience, which the Kellerman Foundation set up outside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The half-day Batwa Experience has benefited the Batwa Community and those who made the Batwa Experience a part of their time in the ancient Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
The Batwa Trail – Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
Mgahinga Gorilla National Park is a great park in addition to the scenery you encounter as you venture with your Batwa Guides is incredible.
The Batwa Trail allows you to see the Forest through the eyes of the first people that lived in this national park. It will give them some meaningful income to make a difference.
Take the Batwa Trail, learn the Batwa Ways, and end with dancing in the Garama Cave, where the women bring forth a song of the lament of not living in the Forest.
You, in turn, learn the ancient hunting and gathering methods used by the Batwa People and how they lived in the old Forest. This is usually a 5-hour Trail, and its views are excellent. The intent has been for authenticity as the Batwa People demonstrate how they used to live here.
The Buniga Batwa Forest Walk
The Buniga Forest Walk with the Batwa people is near Kisoro – easily accessed from the southern area of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, such as Nkuringo – Rushaga – from around Lake Mutanda or Kisoro.
Once again, the forest walk here is very informative about the Batwa People and their ways. This includes visiting the village where they come from and where you see beehives and crafts made.
The African Wildlife Fund began this activity to assist the Batwa Community in this area and keep them from poaching antelopes in the parks. One must remember that the Batwa knows visitors’ fees for Gorilla Trekking. At the same time, they are excluded from the Forest. However, a small percentage of funds are shared with them, often never reaching every community member.
In conclusion
The Batwa Trail and cultural experience is an adventurous activity that is comparable to visiting the Iby’iwacu cultural village in Rwanda. Both help spice up your East African Safari by allowing you take part in and understand the local culture of some of Africa’s indigenous tribes while helping support them economically.