• Batwa Communities

Batwa Communities

The Batwa people are considered the first inhabitants of Africa, having lived in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in the Great Lakes Region of East Africa for over 60,000 years. In early 1990s, the Batwa were evicted from their forest home in a government effort to protect the mountain gorillas and other forest wildlife. Although the Batwa had been living in harmony with all forest creatures throughout their existence and were not a threat to the gorillas, with this action they became conservation refugees. With no government support, no gifts of land to establish new homes, no education on how to shift from a hunter-gatherer to and agricultural based subsistence, the Batwa began to die. Their population has significantly diminished over the last 30 years with many Batwa surviving only by begging for food and housing. Should a member of the Batwa community enter the forest in an attempt to forage food for their starving communities, they risk being shot on site by park officials.

Voices of the Batwa

Discover the vibrant traditions, rich history, and everyday life of the Batwa people in this captivating video, as they share their story in their own words.

Scenes of the Batwa

This collection of photographs showcases the Batwa community, highlighting the breathtaking Bwindi Forest, their traditional homes, and the vibrant daily life of the villagers.
  • At the edge of the Bwindi forest.
  • Batwa children.
  • Batwa home.
  • Batwa kitchen.
  • Batwa kitchen.
  • Batwa landscape.
  • Batwa Landscape.
  • Batwa landscape.
  • Batwa landscape.
  • Batwa landscape.
  • Batwa landscape.
  • Batwa villagers.
  • Batwa villagers.
  • Batwa villagers.
  • Batwa villagers.
  • Batwa villagers.
  • Batwa villagers.
  • Batwa villagers.
  • Batwa villagers.
  • Batwa villagers.
  • Bwindi forest.
  • Bwindi forest.
  • Bwindi forest.
  • Bwindi forest.
  • Bwindi forest, property line.
  • Cultural agent Syliver and the Elder.
  • Elder.
  • Elder.
  • Inside Batwa home.
  • Inside Batwa home.
  • Small hut on the hill.
  • Small hut on the hill.
  • Small hut on the hill.
  • Syliver pointing to the edge of the forest.
  • The only Elder in this village.
  • Woman with the broken arm.
  • Saying good-bye.