Pygmies

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Pygmies are an ethnic group living mostly in Central Africa – I was visiting them in Uganda, near Kisoro. Pygmies are known for their unusually short average height. The estimated number of these peoples is under 200 000 with many sub-groups on the verge of dying out. They have once been driven out of their lands in the rainforests which were turned into national parks or cut down. Nowadays, they live in very scarce conditions, outcast and rejected by society, and are used for cheap manual labour. Many of the pygmy peoples live off donations. Furthermore, about 90% of the populations suffers from HIV and many children die of pneumonia. Only 1-2 out of 10 kids get to grow up, and even then the life expectancy is hardly over 30 years. As we heard, alcohol and drug abuse are among the biggest problems these days. Our visit took place with the help of their support person, and as per his request, brought them flour, soap and sweets for children. The people we met were extremely thankful and showed it by performing their songs and dances.