Morning Edition on WKNO HD-2

Genre:

Composer ID:

5187f49ae1c8cae4b99a3311|5187f47ce1c8b03770ba72e3

Forest People Return To Their Land ... As Tour Guides

Credit Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin for NPR

In 1991, the Batwa forest people of Uganda were evicted from their land when two national parks were created to protect the shrinking habitat of the endangered mountain gorilla. A new program is trying to help them earn money and reconnect with their roots.

Credit Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin for NPR

Traditionally, the Batwa used bamboo stalks to carry water and cook food — stuffing them with meat and foliage to steam over a fire. After the formation of the Mgahinga National Park, the Batwa were forced out and prohibited from any hunting or gathering.

Credit Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin for NPR

The Batwa Trail, now 2 years old, helps preserve and promote culture by having Batwa guides show tourists their traditional way of life. Batwa guides and musicians earn the equivalent of $3.25 a day. The rest of the money goes to a Batwa tribal trust and the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Credit Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin for NPR

The Mgahinga National Park provides a much-needed refuge for the mountain gorilla. But the creation of the park also drove the Batwa from their land, and has taken away a big part of their identity.

Credit Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin for NPR

Living entirely off the land, the Batwa developed a deep knowledge of the forest's plants and their uses. The benefits of these plants are still known by many of the older generation, but have been largely lost on the youth who have spent their entire lives living outside the forest.

Credit Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin for NPR

Intimately tied to the mountains and forests, the Batwa used to perform daily dances in honor of their land. Entering their previous home, men perform a welcoming dance.

Credit Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin for NPR

Equipped with two sticks, tinder and a lot of patience, the Batwa make small clumps of smoldering grass to ward off bees and harvest fresh honeycombs. Honey is so valuable that they use it as a bride price.

Credit Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin for NPR

Besides finding safety in the forests, the Batwa also took shelter in a local cave they called Garama. The cave is a low-ceilinged lava tube beneath the mountain where the chief used to hold his councils, and where women and children hid during battle.

Credit Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin for NPR

This sacred cave housed the Batwa king and was the main venue for celebrations. A choir in the darkness sings a song of sadness about how the Batwa were driven from the forest, and how much they miss it.

Credit Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin for NPR

Pushed from their homes without land of their own or compensation, many Batwa have been forced to squat on the land of others and perform menial jobs.

Credit Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin for NPR

In 1991, the Batwa forest people of Uganda were evicted from their land when two neighboring national parks were created to protect shrinking habitat for the endangered mountain gorilla. A new program is trying to help them earn money and reconnect with their roots.

Credit Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin for NPR

The forests in which the Batwa lived are rich with flora and fauna. After the formation of Mgahinga National Park, they were forced out and prohibited from hunting or gathering.

By John Burnett

Originally published on Fri October 12, 2012 10:55 pm

Listen

Like other hunter-gatherers of Central Africa who've been cast out of their jungle homes, when the Batwa forest people of southwest Uganda lost their forest, they lost their identity.

The Batwa were evicted from their rain forest kingdom in 1991, when two neighboring national parks, Mgahinga and Bwindi, were created to protect shrinking habitat for the endangered mountain gorilla.

2:25 am

Fri October 12, 2012

Making 'The Science Of Good Cooking' Look Easy

Credit Carl Tremblay Photography / America's Test Kitchen

Want a better-tasting gazpacho? Don't toss out the tomato seeds.

By editor

Originally published on Fri October 12, 2012 4:36 am

Listen

Ever wondered why you're not supposed to bake with cold eggs or whether marinating really tenderizes meat? Read on.

America's Test Kitchen host Chris Kimball "whisks away" some cooking myths as he talks with Morning Edition host Renee Montagne about the book he wrote, The Science of Good Cooking, with fellow Cook's Illustrated magazine editors. Being the science and cooking geeks that we are, we tuned in.

2:23 am

Fri October 12, 2012

Native American Tribe's Battle Over Beer Brews

Next image Previous image

Credit Hilary Stohs-Krause / NET News

On the south side of Whiteclay, Neb., a crowd gathers outside one of the town's four liquor stores.

Credit Robyn Wisch for NPR

Winnebago tribe members Lance Morgan (left) and Frank LaMere are pushing for Whiteclay's liquor stores to be shut down.

By editor

Originally published on Fri October 12, 2012 9:26 am

Listen

Anheuser-Busch, Pabst and MillerCoors are among the big beer makers the Oglala Sioux tribe has accused of illegally selling millions of cans of beer each year in Whiteclay, Neb. The town borders Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, which is located across the state line in South Dakota and is dry.

The Oglala Sioux's federal case was thrown out, and the tribe is considering what to do next — legalize alcohol or go to state court.

1:03 am

Fri October 12, 2012

Kaki King: A Guitar Wizard Conjures New Colors

Credit Shervin Lainez / Courtesy of the artist

Kaki King's latest album is called Glow.

By editor

Originally published on Fri October 12, 2012 4:36 am

Listen

6:11 am

Thu October 11, 2012

N.Y. Yankees Win With Help From Raul Ibanez

By editor

Listen

Transcript

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Morning Edition on WKNO HD-2		RSS
All Content	closeNews podcasts Use iTunes Use a different player	RSS
View all podcasts & RSS feeds

Now Playing

Podcasts & RSS Feeds

Morning Edition on WKNO HD-2