Tribes around Bwindi
Bwindi impenetrable National Park is a sanctuary for mountain gorillas found in southwestern Uganda in the districts of kabale , kisoro and kanungu.
Bwindi impenetrable National park covers an area of about 331 sq km in the highest parts of the kigezi highlands .
Bwindi has many major rivers that pass through the park which include ; River Ivi , River Muyanga , Ihihizo River , Ishaha River , Ntegyere river among others .
The park is divided into four sector which tourists visit for gorilla trekking ie Buhoma , Nkuringo , Ruhija and Rushaga sectors.
Bwindi comprises of other wild animals like mammals such as forest elephants, babboons , chimpanzees, yellow black duikers , bush babies , blue monkeys , red tailed monkeys , birds , include ; Handsome francolin , Rwenzori Night jar , African green broad bill , Archers Robin chat , Red throated Alethe , yellow eye black flycatcher, Regal sun bird , bar tailed trogon etc .
Bwindi is governed by Uganda Wildlife Authority a body in charge of National Parks.
Bwindi was established as a national park in 1991 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 .
There are 2 tribes surrounding Bwindi impenetrable National Park and each has its own way of life ;
- Batwa
The Batwa are known as the original inhabitants of Bwindi ajd they have a unique culture that can be explored during a visit ro their communities.
Batwa are known for carrying out traditional hunting and fruit gathering as a source of food .
Batwa also depend on the forest for herbal medicines .
Generally, the Batwa treated the forest of Bwindi more than just a home but a core of their cultural and spiritual beliefs.
The Batwa’s creation story is interesting as they believe that the creator gave some people height , others land but to the Batwa he gave them the rainforests .
Just like any other culture , the Batwa have cultural dances that they dance to welcome tourists to their community.
It was in 1990 when the Batwa got miserable after Bwindi was declared a National Park to protect the endangered Mountain gorillas and so they had to evacuate the forest .
However in 2011 the Uganda Wildlife Authority had to pull funds from the United states Agency for International Development and Netherlands Embassy in Kampala to help the Batwa.
Visiting the Batwa is one of the most interesting activities as tourists will be able to learn hiw they hunted , prepared local food , how they built traditional houses among others.
- Bakiga
The Bakiga is an ethnic Bantu tribe living in south western Uganda in areas around Bwindi .
They speak a language called Rukiga
The Bakiga are believed to have migrated from Congo Basin and settled in south western Uganda in the early 16th century.
The Bakiga have a rich cultural heriatage rooted in their traditions.
The Bakiga are strongly attached to their land which they believe is a gift from the ancestors and so they must protect it
The Bakiga are also known as subsistence farmers growing crops like maize , beans , Irish potatoes, bananas and also rearing cattle called the long horned Ankole cattle .
The Bakiga are very religious people believing in a supreme being called Ruhanga who they believe is the creator of the world .
The Bakiga also expressed their culture through music , dance and art . They used instruments such as drums , harps and xylophones.
Today the Bakiga face many challenges suxh as poverty , land conflicts and diseases but many prominent leaders in Uganda have come out to help them.
By and large , visiting the tribes around Bwindi is a dive into their culture and traditions.
