Welcome To "Working With Pygmies"

"Pygmy" generally refers to humans or animals that are unusually small in size.Anthropologically a Pygmy is specifically a member of one of the hunter-gatherer people living in equatorial rainforests characterised by their short height (below 1.5 metres, or 5 feet, on average). Pygmies are found throughout central Africa. Members of so-called Pygmy groups often consider the term insultive, instead preferring to be called by the name of their ethnic group (e.g., Baka, Mbuti, Inundi)

Here, we will be looking at my work with the Baka Pygmies of the Cameroon rain forest. The Baka Pygmies are geographically occupying the territory of the rain forest region of Cameroon, northern Congo (Brazzaville), northern Gabon, and southwestern Central African Republic.But most of them are found in the rain forest region of Cameroon.They are also known as the Bebayaka, Bebayaga, Bibiya or Babinga.

Population: The Baka Pygmie Population in Cameroon rain forest numbers about 35.000.

Language: The Baka Pygmies speak a language known as the Baka. The also speak Koozime and a few of them speak French.

Subsistence: Most of them are communual hunters.

Religion: The worship a spirit beeing known as Djengi. The are only now struggling to accept Christianity and Christ.Its no easy battle.

Working with the Pygmies has been no easy task. The inspiration to come work with the community here, has been the Lord's. BLIND FAITH SO IT MIGHT SEEM !  It all began while on a Chartered Accounting Seminar, organised by the ACCA (Association of Certified Chartered Accountant). I was selected by my Bank ( Standard Chartered Bank of Mauritius) to partake in the seminar. It was during the siteseeing trip of that  Seminar, that I came to discover the plight of the Pygmies.

Deeply residing in the East of Cameroon are the Baka Pygmies, semi cut off from the rest of the country.  It all started  like a Joke.! I was telling one of  the Cameroonian participants for the Seminar, that I wanted to see the Pygmies. I had only read about them in History  and Geography books, while as a pupil. But imagine my surprise, when she whom I thought was going to give me a better picture of the Pygmies, knew less of them than I did. I had thought the Pygmie drew much admiration from the rest of the country. Having succeeded on thier own to build strong hunting-skills and adapt to the forest life.

 Atleast she was able to help me with a tour guide. It was a  four hour Journey from the Cameroonian capital of Yaounde  to the Eastern Provincial capital of Bertoua. That was on paved and unpaved roads, that are just a few meters wide. Sometimes not even wide enough  for a single car to move on confortably. Yet, thats the only way to the land of the Pygmies as there are no inter-state flights in Cameroon. From Bertoua to the bebaya land is covered with muddy and unserviced roads.  Its a tedious drive, especially during the rainy season. But  as soon as we arrived there,  it was easy to recognise you are in the Land of the Pygmies.

I was expecting to be in Liliput. But it was no Liliput. Several Pygmies were just my height, although the majority were under 1.40cm. Women were geneally shorter. You could get the distinct smell of several forest smelling plants. It was all so different. I guess it was like going to outer space. Everything was like I had never seen before. Several women were outside almost naked. No bras, with just skirts.  Most of the skirts either torn, or too dirty to tell thier colours. But here I was in the land of the Pygmies and all I could feel was like spending one night with them. Telling them about Christ all in one day, eating same food like they did,  just so the know my love for them is no different from that amongst themselves. Seeing the Pygmies for my first time, it was enough to tell the Lord wanted me lay down other things and be a part of the community . For,  "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

Below is a typical housing situation of the Pygmies. Its a hut of wood with broad leaves that serve as roof. At the door post is a mother and her two babies enjoying both the shade and the rays of the sun.

 Finally deciding to work with the Pygmies was no easy task. After that brief site seeing visit to Bebeya land, we had to return to Yaounde. But the visit was such a huge sucess. With the use of a local interpreter and thier facial expressions I could see the gratitude in thier eyes, for the several clothes, soaps and food items that  I brought them on that first trip. But my concern for them was more. My concern for them was for thier soul.. " For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world andloses his soul" Mathew 16:26.. 

 Having already mentioned about thier Religious rites.They worship a forest spirit known as Jengi or Djengi, whom they perceive as both a parental figure and guardian.  Each successful hunt is always followed by a dance of thanksgiving known as the Luma, which is accompanied by drumming and polyphonic singing. One of the most important traditional ceremonies is the Jengi, a long and secret rite of initiation .

 The Baka's also  practice traditional medicine, and their skills are such that even non-Baka often seek out pygmy healers for treatment. With all this, having to reach out Christ to them has been no easy task. But as the Lord had put it in my mine, it was sure his Spirit will move migtily and the Word be implanted in the hearts of the Pygmies."Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

 Finally moving to work with the Pygmies had to be done with the Lords approval. It was enough to know that my heart had been touched by thier plight, but was that the Lords plan for me?When the Accounting seminar ended, I spend four more days in Cameroon. It was during those four days that  got me affirmed the Lord wanted me to come work with the Pygmies. I was attending Church service "FULL GOSPEL PENTECOSTAL MISSION" on the Sunday that I had to depart to Mauritius. Then during the Worship, Pastor Jacob said " The Lord has been putting in my heart to go and reach out to the Pygmies and here present today he is telling me there is a lady from a far away land who is interested in same plight, could she come up and lets pray together" I just sat in my pew lost for Words.

 Tears started rolling down my cheeks. I was lost in his presence. I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit all over. Here was I, about leaving Cameroon undecided, and finaly atrending a Church I have never been to, A church where no one knew me. My very first time atending church in Cameroon. God you are good. God you are awesome. Just at the last minute you have given me your word. "I will not leave you all alone like children without parents. I will come back to you. In a very short time the people in the world will not see me any more. But you will see me. You will live because I live. On that day you will know that I am in the Father. You will know that you are in me and I am in you. John 14:18-20