Overview
The Batwa are one of the original inhabitants of Uganda who are believed to have come from Ituri in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They settled in southwestern Uganda in the forests of Mubwindi, present-day Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park. The Batwa belonged to the pygmies ethnic group. The group has gradually been erased due to intermarriages. This has left the Batwa as the only living evidence of the Pygmies’ existence. The Batwa are very peaceful forest people, also known as forest keepers. This is because they have dwelt in the forests almost all their lives.
The Batwa lived an enjoyable forest life until 1991. This is when they were driven out of the Mubwindi forest. This was because it was being designated as Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This was in the conservation of the gentle giants, the mountain gorillas, by the government. This pushed the Batwa to the outskirts of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The evacuation of the Batwa from the forest was a very trying moment for them. This was because they were getting to a world they had less idea about. Some lost their lives in the forced resettlement. This evacuation led to the diminishing of the true Batwa forest life.
The United Organization for Batwa Development UOBDU in hand with the Netherlands Embassy in Uganda, the United States Agency for International Development USAID, and the Uganda Wildlife Authority UWA in 2011 chose to rejuvenate the Batwa culture. This was through the Batwa cultural trail that was placed in Mgahinga National Park. It was later developed into the Batwa cultural experience also in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The Batwa cultural experience can only be enjoyed in Uganda. This is because these people are accustomed to the environment in the two areas of Uganda.
What is the Batwa cultural experience?
Batwa cultural experience is a cultural tour into the Batwa society. It is where you get involved in the Batwa way of life practically. The Batwa cultural experience teaches you several survival and life skills that the Batwa people use. These include lighting fire using dry sticks, making wild honey, hunting, listening to ancestral stories around the fireplaces, house construction, and a lot more things that make up the Batwa way of life. The Batwa cultural experience is led by the Batwa community guide who kneels before the forest and prays to the spirits to bless the day and acquire permission to enter the forest. The Batwa in Bwindi and Mgahinga have interesting facts to share in both directions.
Batwa Cultural Experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.
Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is one of the most visited parks in southwestern Uganda. This is due to its great mountain gorilla trekking and ecological diversity. The management of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park realized that the Batwa culture was fading out, yet these were the original inhabitants. Therefore, in collaboration with UWA, USAID, and UOBDU, found worth reviving the Batwa culture through the Batwa cultural experience.
Batwa cultural experience begins with a guided nature walk through the forest by the Batwa community guide who seeks permission first from ancestors. He then takes you through the forest and the Batwa community as you are taught how they used to survive. For instance, hunting for food, gathering fruits, burying the dead with grass and the meaning, how they treat the sick, and more about the Batwa cultural life as you listen to their ancestral stories. The Batwa cultural experience blesses you with a chance to purchase souvenirs of the Batwa from the community market if you wish to.
Batwa cultural experience in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
The dense forests of the foothills of the Virunga volcanoes used to be the habitat of the Batwa pygmies, which later became the Batwa cultural trail. The trail was launched on 7th June 2011 to conserve the Batwa culture and take tourists to Ngarama cave, which was once the Batwa king’s palace. At Ngarama, you are told ancestral stories and shown cultural dances that you are free to participate in. You then proceed to the Batwa community for hunting, wild honey collection, and fire-making among others that will keep you amused.
How much is the Batwa culture experience?
Batwa cultural experience in Uganda costs 80 USD per person and a 10% discount is given for those visiting in groups. In case you are interested in making documentaries or films, 400 USD is charged and the money is invested in the conservation of wildlife by UWA and community development.
When is the best time for the Batwa culture experience?
For both Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks, the Batwa cultural experience is open year-round. However best done in the dry season. The dry season runs from June to August and from December to February. These months are the best since they make movement easy and enable fire-making, hunting, and all other activities.
The wet season too is enjoyable permitting you to learn how these people survived coldness and protected themselves from attacks. Batwa cultural experience is always combined with gorilla trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park or Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.