Children of the Forest: Life with the Mbuti Pygmies

by Kevin Duffy

This intimate study portrays the hunter-gatherer Mbuti pygmies of Zaire. Kevin Duffy describes how these forest nomads, who are as adapted to the forest as its wildlife, gratefully acknowledge their beloved home as the source of everything they food, clothing, shelter, and affection. Looking on the forest in deified terms, they sing and pray to it and call themselves its children. With his patience and knowledge of their ways, Duffy was accepted by these, the world's smallest people, and invited to participate in the cycle of their lives from birth to death. This book is an excellent companion piece to Duffy's 50-minute film, Pygmies of the Rainforest, which was shown on PBS's science series, NOVA, as "BaMiki BaNdula". A 28-minute version (Children of the Forest) is also available.

Genres: History, Africa, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Lgordo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, although it is not an anthropology book in the most scientific sense. Duffy visits two Mbuti tribes for what seems like his own enjoyment. He provides a lot of information and narrative, but not a ton of data, if that makes sense. You get a sense of rhythm and daily activity, and he provides good background on their history and interactions with the farmers around them. It did feel a bit lacking in rigor at times; he describes traditions and gender roles and some similarities and differences between tribes and across cultures, but only in a vague and non-academic way. He doesn't back away from reminding you that in spite of the general good cheer of the tribesfolk and their supposed easygoing culture, the lifestyle is a difficult and harsh one. (I had to look up "yaws" and it's awful.)

Extra note just because:
I found my eyes rolling at how often the author zeroed in on female butts and boobs. Presumably, the men of the Mbuti also use body paint, but you'd never know from reading this book (and you'd be excused for assuming that the women don't paint much besides sebaceous areas). I suppose all male anthropologists working in cultures without clothes must have the same issue, but at least in my reading until now, they've attempted to disguise it. I guess because Duffy wasn't representing any western institution, he didn't feel a need to meet any western standards of ethics on this trip. He rounds off his obsession with the nubile pubescent females by hopping into bed with a (willing) teenager. (I agree with him that this is not immoral assuming she's willing and the local culture supports it. The fact that she was about 39" tall does leave me feeling a bit icky.)

[Suphatra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I'm curious about cultures that have achieved an existence with little violence and lived in harmony with its environment. The Pygmies not only exemplify these traits, they may also be the primordial link to our hunting/gathering ancestors.

In this book, Duffy journeys into the African rainforest and lives with Mbuti clans. He details how they wake up for the day, make and eat breakfast, prepare and go on hunts, dance in celebration, explore their sexuality, get married, and believe in God. The Mbuti survive against all odds, in a rainforest of dangerous animals, parasitic worms, malaria, even a mold that takes root and grows on the human skin. They do this with a strong sense of community -- for they can only survive with the help of one another, and without observing hierarchies or strict social norms like gender roles (it is common for women to hunt), and encouraging natural primitive instincts like "free love" among unmarried pubescent teens and breastfeeding children until 2 years old. For the Pygmie, there is no past -- that is gone forever -- and there is no utility in yearning for the future. There is only the present, and whether there will be food for the day. The Pygmies believe the forest to be its mother, father and God, and they are the children of the forest. Everything they kill, they do not waste even a scrap, and all that is left is always returned to the forest -- even the Pygmies themselves.

This book is a remarkably honest and heart-felt account of an anthropologist's wonder and amazement witnessing a civilization that has survived unaffected by thousands of years of progress. I strongly recommend this book for anyone who seeks a higher understanding of the capacity of human society.

[Casey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this for a Sub Saharan Anthropology class. It was informative, but there was a lot of bias to the book. It gave the impression that the Mbuti Pygmies were completely isolated from the rest of the world.