Children of the Forest: Central Africa’s Baka and Mbuti Peoples

Both the Baka and the Mbuti see the forest as their spiritual father and mother. They are a semi-nomadic group who have historically lived by foraging in the forest to supply all their needs. Whether Mbuti or Baka, everyone participates in the making of music as part of their every day interaction with others in their community and the forest. The Mbuti are categorized as a peaceful society for several reasons. Social customs are built around sharing, cooperating, interdependence, and avoiding disharmony with other groups of forest dwellers.