audio, stills, text and or video: Go to zReportage.com to see more - Deep in the rich rainforests of southwest Uganda, the indigenous Batwa pygmies known as 'Keepers of The Forest' shared their tropical terrain with majestic mountain gorillas for thousands of years. Anthropologists estimate that pygmy tribes such as the Batwa have existed in the equatorial forests of Africa for 60,000 years. The Batwa way of life predated farming and livestock-keeping; they were hunter-gatherers who depended on the forest's natural resources. In 1992, the Batwa's home-the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest-was made a World Heritage Site in order to save the endangered mountain gorillas. The Government determined that to protect the gorillas - a national treasure - the Batwa would have to move out of the forest. The impact on the Batwa people was devastating. Having no title to the land, they were evicted from the forest without compensation. The marginalized western Ugandan Basua community is fighting extinction; forcibly removed from their forest home two decades ago, they have struggled to cope with modern life and have been ravaged by health crises, including HIV.
© Peter Bauza/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Mar 5, 2014 - Uganda - Deep in the rich rainforest of southwest Uganda, the indigenous Batwa pygmies shared their tropical terrain with majestic mountain gorillas for thousands of years. Some anthropologists estimate that pygmy tribes such as the Batwa have existed in the equatorial forests of Africa for 60,000 years or more. The Batwa way of life predated farming and livestock-keeping; they were hunter-gatherers who depended on the forest's natural resources for their livelihood.
© Peter Bauza/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Mar 5, 2014 - Uganda - A protected Silver Back Gorilla observes his family in Uganda's Rainforest.
© Peter Bauza/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Mar 5, 2014 - Uganda - Giant Trees in the Rainforest of Uganda with the border of Congo.
© Peter Bauza/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Mar 5, 2014 - Uganda - Pygmy hunter with a arrow and bow in search of food.
© Peter Bauza/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 5, 2014 - Uganda - Pygmies use smoke on bees for honey collection.
© Peter Bauza/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 5, 2014 - Uganda - Basuas at the Uganda/Congo play their music and dance in traditional clothing.
© Peter Bauza/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 5, 2014 - Uganda - Pygmy feet with hunting spear.
© Peter Bauza/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 5, 2014 - Uganda - Portrait of a pygmy elder.
© Peter Bauza/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 5, 2014 - Uganda - Traditional Pygmies dance in the rainforest of Uganda with the Congo border.
© Peter Bauza/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 5, 2014 - Uganda - The last king of the Basuas, a pygmy tribe of approximately 160 members, with his pipe.
© Peter Bauza/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 5, 2014 - Uganda - The Last Forest Keepers (pygmies) walk into the rainforest.
© Peter Bauza/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 5, 2014 - Uganda - A gorilla in the rainforest of Uganda near by the Congo. The last 300 gorillas are protected here.
© Peter Bauza/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 5, 2014 - Uganda - After hunting the pygmies are expected by a god with a tribe celebration.
© Peter Bauza/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 5, 2014 - Uganda - Pygmies prepare fire to suppress the bees for honey collection.
© Peter Bauza/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 5, 2014 - Uganda - The entire Pygmies tribe, including the eldest and children celebrate with dancing the return of the hunters.
© Peter Bauza/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 5, 2014 - Uganda - A pygmy with spear.
© Peter Bauza/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 5, 2014 - Uganda - Giant trees in Uganda.
© Peter Bauza/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 5, 2014 - Uganda - A chimpanzee observes his surroundings in the jungle of Uganda.
© Peter Bauza/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
