Educational Media Reviews Online

The Pygmy people live primarily in the African nations of Cameroon and the Central African Republic (CAR). The conditions under which they live in these two countries are often markedly different, but in both cases they struggle to find both sustenance and respect in the modern world, while at the same time trying to retain as much of their indigenous culture as they possibly can.

The Pygmies are traditionally rainforest dwellers, who live by hunting and gathering. In Cameroon, many have lost this way of life, or have turned their backs on it, as deforestation in that country has increased dramatically and destroyed much of their homeland. Those not living in the traditional way have often found they have no choice but to accept low paying, menial jobs working for Europeans or Bantus (the predominate ethic group in the area). Many are undervalued by their employers, and many others are unable to find work, because they have been unfairly characterized by non-Pygmies as lazy and unreliable. Some find work as poachers in the various protected wilderness areas, or as guides for western hunters, thereby accelerating the destruction of the rainforest and their old way of life. In the CAR there is far less modernization and deforestation, and Pygmies generally live in a fashion that is more consistent with their ancient traditions. Even in this case however, there have been significant changes in the way they live. Catholic missionaries have been working in that area for some time, and have encouraged conversion to Christianity and the adoption of a more agricultural lifestyle. Along with other westerners they have introduced the Pygmies to a new world view, and thereby altered their expectations. Although the Pygmies value their traditions and want to keep them strong, many now wish for health care and education, which such a lifestyle cannot provide! As a consequence they have had to accept a more settled, less nomadic, existence, which is both gradually and persistently changing their culture. Environmentalist groups have tried to help them develop sustainable ways of harvesting the wealth of the rainforest, so they can not only protect these wonderful wilderness areas, but also better maintain their traditional way of life. Though these programs have had some success, they have yet to fully address the economic plight of the Pygmies.

This film is both compelling and informative. It has an effective narration and its sound and picture qualities are good. It vividly portrays the plight of the Pygmies, who are caught between their ancient way of life (which they can no longer sustain and which some no longer want), and the enticements of the modern world (which they cannot produce for themselves and are frequently unable to buy from outsiders). The efforts of missionaries and environmentalists are sometimes helpful, and usually well intentioned, but still serve to further degrade the Pygmy's culture. This film offers no solution to these problems, but presents them in such a way that they are easy to understand. It will be a valuable resource for those studying the problems in contemporary Pygmy society, and to some degree, those in Central Africa itself.