The Rwandan Pygmies ( batwa )
Rwandan Pygmies are a once popular people who lived in forests. They were originally hunter-gatherers in the forests of Rwanda. In 1998, the Pygmies were driven from the Nyungwe Forest and from the Volcanoes National Park by the creation of sanctuaries for the mountain gorillas and other animals. Today the Batwa Pygmies of Rwanda drift closer to extinction. Their lands have been taken by private developers. Their traditional sources of food are nearly exhausted. And with no shoes, their children are not allowed to attend school. The Pygmies’ traditional culture and way of life differ dramatically from the mainstream, causing a history of conflict and resulting in a very real threat to their extinction. This conflict even manifests in their identity as a people. Following the Rwandan genocide of 1994, all ethnic identification was outlawed leading the Batwa Pygmies to rename themselves as the ‘Community of Potters’ in order to gain recognition by the Rwandan government.
The good news is that, the Pygmy Survival Alliance (PSA) – an international 501 non-profit organization that brings together public health and development experts from Rwanda and the United States – has piloted programs to help the Pygmies lift themselves out of poverty and build a new and sustainable future. Using proceeds from the sale of Coffee Rwanda, PSA has been able to provide the Pygmies with increased access to healthcare, education, leadership skills and income-generating activities that have helped the Pygmies regain their dignity and raise their standard of living. A donation to the Pygmy Survival Alliance goes towards helping the Pygmies on their road to self-sufficiency. Come visit these indigenous people and know much about their history, culture and their way of living.
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