The Twa People
In Burundi, there are three main ethnic groups - the Twa, Tutsi, and Hutu - who have all occupied Burundi since its formation 500 years ago. Members of our band are from the Twa Community.
The Twa (also known as "Batwa") are a pygmy people who are the oldest recorded inhabitants of the Great Lakes region of central Africa. Current populations are found in Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Traditionally, the Twa are a semi-nomadic hunter-gatherer group from the mountain forests. But, with the clearing of forests for agriculture, logging, development projects, or the creation of conservation areas, many of the Twa have been forced to leave and establish new homes. Unfortunately, our ancestral land rights have never been recognized by the government and we have not been compensated for the land we have lost. This has left many of our people without land and in poverty.
We continue to suffer ethnic prejudice, discrimination, violence, and general exclusion from society because of our pygmy ancestry. Many of our children lack access to education in Burundi and our communities have limited representation in both local and national government.
Despite this, we are a community that is very proud of our cultural heritage and ancestry. Traditionally, we are known for our pottery making skills and this activity continues to have great cultural and social significance for our people. For many Batwa potters, the process of digging the clay and carrying it to different settlements creates a strong sense of unity and community.
Music is also an important part of our traditions and everyday life. In particular for members of our band, music has served as a positive distraction from the hardships we faced in the refugee camps and as a tool in assisting us towards creating a more positive future.