2,030 Abibisika (Black Gold) Points

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The Batwa/Twa (sing) are one of the ethnic groups among the original inhabitants of the Equatorial Forest of Central Afrika. The forest was granted to them by the Creator as part of their right and responsibility to preserve the Great Lakes region. When the Creator had distributed all the land to other groups, he left the high mountains and plains around Lake Kivu in Kongo (Kinshasa), Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi for them to make their home. Their responsibility and privilege as guardians of the forest established them to gain specialised knowledge of herbs and other natural products.

This knowledge is transmitted in oral history through Rutwa which is the language of the Twa people’s songs and stories. They are acknowledged as the original instructors and leaders of the forest community and they are therefore enabled to guide and teach others about the spiritual connection between the people and the forest, as their rightful place to protect and preserve, while utilising the lands for the growth and continuation of their society.