Batwa Cultural Heritage
Batwa Cultural Heritage
4.5
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4.5
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5
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AltabasTravels
London, UK203 contributions
Jun 2022
We did a forest walk with the Batwa pygmy tribe in Echuya forest which was an absolutely fascinating insight into how the pygmy's traditionally lived in and with the forest, taking everything that they needed (e.g. food and medicine) from the forest itself.

It was amazing to see how they could pick out what they needed from the thick forest.

Following this, we walked up to the top of the ridge and were greeted by the whole village and entertained with their traditional music and dance as well as a demonstration of making fire the "old-fashioned" way as well as in archery. We even got to try our hand at archery.

We even got our own entourage on our way back down the hill - they really made us feel like royalty.

Thoroughly recommend this to anyone in the vicinity of Lake Bunyonyi.
Written 10 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Imtiaz Ullah
New Delhi, India55 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
Who are the Batwa or Pygmy

Echuya Batwa, commonly known as pygmies ( they are called Pygmies because of their short height), are an endangered group of people around Echuya Forest Reserve in Kisoro and Kabale Districts of South-Western Uganda. The Batwa are the original people of the rainforest who are the primary inhabitants of the Montane Rainforests of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi. They lived, gathered and hunted in the rainforest since time in memorial. They were never involved in farming, there was no destruction of the forest, no charcoal making, their shelters did not disturb the environment, they lived in harmony with their beloved forests, wildlife including the Mountain Gorillas and left a low ecological footprint behind them.

The Batwa Pygmies led a simple and harmonious way of life. There is a Batwa saying “A Mutwa (Singular Batwa) loves the forest as much as he loves his own body.” 

Today the Batwa are stigmatized as Gorilla killers and poachers and are readily blamed for any poaching that takes place in either Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla Park.
Pain points of the Batwa People 

● Children of the Batwa need regular finances to keep them in school. 

● The youth of the Batwa need to learn some training skills to help them to regularly earn a living, such as sewing, carpentry or metallurgy. 

● The Batwa people have no medical facilities, not even water. 

● Half the Batwa do not know to write and to read the local language. 
Source of livelihood for Batwa 

Batwa in this area lead a life of plight and poverty. They don’t have regular means of livelihood, they find inconsistent jobs and their existence is primarily dependant on the mercy of other people. They live a life of hand to mouth. 

Dance of Batwa People

In Batwa society dancing serves the dual purpose of recounting history and a communal expression of joy. Batwa dance deserves more recognition and respect. 

The Voice of Batwa People

The Batwa people have gotten a voice, there are Batwa organizations within Uganda that are speaking out and making a difference on their own behalf. The Dream still is to go back into the forest and live in coexistence with their environment and that includes the Mountain Gorillas where they hope once again to live peacefully with the Mountain Gorillas. 

The Batwa Dream is to go back into their Forest and once again live in harmonious existence with the Forest, Wildlife, and Gorillas. 

How can you help the Batwa People 

NomadLawyer is working very closely with local NGOs and voluntary organisation from this area. The goal is to support and help the Batwa people. Incase you wish to volunteer, do write us or if you can’t travel to this place, you can also contribute by going to our donate page. We will ensure that the contributions will be utilised in restoring the condition of Batwa people. Let us join hands and help humanity. 

Thinking of Batwa Heritage experience? These former forest and hunt men and women have stories like no other. 
Written 11 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Oliver Alice
Kampala, Uganda6 contributions
Jun 2018
The Batwa dance and cultural stories left me wondering how God created people unique with unique art, and craft that is so interesting. It was a great moment when watching Batwa cultural dance and left me with a memorable experience.
Written 12 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Timm
Christchurch, New Zealand18 contributions
Oct 2018 • Solo
I added the Batwa cultural trail to my gorilla visit to better understand the people who had been evicted from the national park, so I could see the gorillas. It almost became the highlight of the trip - a beatiful walk through the jungle, on an easy trail, and a sunny day, and every 20 minutes or so the Batwa men woudl stop to explain, or act out, some aspect of their culture - the hunt, honey collecting, house building, etc. They made the trip fun, said just enough to keep it interesting, and were great mime artists!! Well worth the extra day, and good preparation for the gorilla walk.
Written 30 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

fcurson
Temperance, MI7 contributions
Jan 2018 • Family
We were met by 3 Batwa natives at the culture center and was guided through their heritage and way of life. It was a very interesting and enlightening tour. Well worth the time to experience.
Written 28 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kemigisha M
6 contributions
Jun 2017 • Friends
it was a unique experience with warm and happy people we were given an forgettable experience ever sooo loving
Written 23 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Women Tour Uganda
Entebbe, Uganda35 contributions
Nov 2016
It was such a great Experience for us and our Guests. They enjoyed the Cultural trail and all the demonstrations from different groups.
Written 1 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

charlene1880
New York City, NY5 contributions
Jan 2016 • Friends
Amazing experience with the Batwa people. Went there with Abiaz of Africa Wild Explorations. Must see!
Written 15 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

canyon s
Kampala, Uganda11 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
the History, life style and culture of these community is quite amazing and interesting. I will sure recommend one to visit this community
Written 11 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Charles S
Nairobi60 contributions
Mar 2015 • Business
Experince the best Buganda culture. Taste the musical life of Banganda people.

A wonderful place to visit for study or family.
Written 16 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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