Bayaka

The pygmy people in the rainforests of the Central African Republic and the Congo are referred to as the Bayaka. The Bayaka are forest dwellers who live, eat, and breathe the jungle. They survive by hunting and gathering and by having a rich sense of community. They work as a village and even with remote villages to survive.

At first glance, it may be easy to be intimidated a little. The average male is lucky to reach five feet in height, but the spear he carries is at least ten feet in length. Tattoos and sharpened teeth are added as the children get older for aesthetic reasons not functional reasons. They commonly have dead animals draped over their shoulders because they are always hunting and providing for their families. Crossbows, hatchets, and knives adorn their scarcely clothed bodies, and their feet carry scars from miles and years of wear.

It does not take too long, however, to get past the sharpened teeth, because as soon as they smile, you will too. These people can show you what humility really is. They are so giving and appreciative of what they have. Their happiness is contagious and it will not take long to catch it especially if they start singing. After daylong treks through the forest all it takes is a song to bring back the life in your body. When night falls and fires go up, the food starts cooking and the people start celebrating. If you think dancing is fun, you will love the Bayaka. They are sure to wear you out.

The Bayaka are regarded as “animals” by the village “tall” Africans. Not all Africans feel this way, but the majority does. They would never “lower” themselves to sit with the Bayaka, eat with them, or sing with them. It is a shame, but it is true. They have no idea what they are missing by excluding the Bayaka from their lives.

The Bayaka do have their troubles and hardships though. For instance, the village of Moale has a water source that is over a mile away. Also, very few have anything to collect the water in so they can bring it back to the village. Dehydration, poor sanitation, and no access to medical care are all issues that they deal with daily. Something as simple to cure as conjunctivitis is a large cause of blindness among the Bayaka. If a man goes blind, he can no longer hunt and feed his family.

I hope this has given you a glimpse into the amazing life of the Bayaka. Hopefully it has peaked an interest in your mind, and touched your heart. I hope you can help in supporting the Bayaka people through this project.