I have been posting about the Batwa who were the forest dwellers and were evicted from forests by the government to conserve wildlife, today we paid a visit to their first hand settlements ever since then. I had taken some guests (Andrea and Roni) to experience the feel and see our fore fathers ; the Batwa. The walk to their settlement was easier and the weather was cool, so was no sliding and mud footing. I had briefed well the guests about what to do and what not to, so they were well prepared of the situations. The facemasks were put on well and cameras held on set for photos.
A traditional song was immediately presented with interesting dances and voices, the drums were banged to give the morale to both entertainers. The moment I saw Andrea's head shaking following the dance beats, the very time of excitement began. This was so lovely than I had expected, the little kids also could dance their styles trying to dance as their parents. This attracted the guests attention.
After the dance, a story about how they lived in the forests before was given by their eldest man in their community and I was ready to translate for the guests in English language.
In their story, they said they still miss the forest life since they would get honey from stingless bees, wild fruits ,meat from hunting antelopes and forest medicine unlike up to now where they face a strange life of getting what you have worked for.
After the tour, we had to take another trail that would directly lead to the lodge where they stayed. However, the weather started changing rapidly and in a few minutes after departure, it began to drizzle. Fortunately,I had carried some umbrellas to be used as walking sticks unless it rained. I gave them and got covered when it increased on drizzling and finally made it back to the lodge with our dirty boots.
The lodge offered free laundry services to the guests and we had to get some cups of coffee while drying on fire place 🔥.
This marked out walk and guests were so appreciative of the experience and donated shoes to all the Batwa kids in the community.
Thank you for stopping by and let us keep hive on!