The Okapi Reserve

Category: Mbuti Pygmies | Date: Apr 30 2007 | By: admin

First and second gereration of Mbuties

Ever since GIC started the project 1987 in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve the Mbuties became a part of our work crew.

There knowledge of the forest and what kind of leaves the Okapi eats in the wild is impressive.The number of Mbuties we offered a job at first consisted 15 people belonging to the same clan. Today we employ 49 Mbuties from 11 different clans.

MAKUBASI AND ISA

Those two, Makubasi on the right and Isa on the left side, are the ones who worked with us many years until their children reached the age to take over from them.

Neither Makubasi nor Isa know how old they are but judging to the storys they tell they must be more than 65 years old. Today they are retired but remain still very active. The food ration and medical care is the kind of pension they receive from the project. Unfortunately Isa lost his wife last year and Makubasi’s wife left him a few years ago. This phenomenon we call divorce is very unusual in their culture. Lucky the family ties are very deep and the two old men (muzee) are very well taken care off. They still remain as chief of the clan and the young people still respect them.

ISA, APUMAO AND BROTHER OF ISA KAKUMBA

Isa has only one son and like his father Apumao followed in his father’s footstep. Kakumba retired today also used to work for us during many years.

MAKUBASI, WANGONDA, MUSA, ALUFANI, BAYAA AND HIS GIRL

Makubasi with four of his nine children (five boys and four girls). Four of his son’s work with us today. Wangonda is not the tallest on the picture but the first born. Musa has been chosen by Makubasi to become the next chief of the BABWEME clan.

MAKUBASI A PROUD FATHER WITH HIS SONS AND GRAND CHILD

A longtime relationship connects the clan of Makubasi and Isa to the project. It is to hope they will stay for many more years with us.

Technorati : congo, epulu, okapi, wildlifedirect