Post #17: Final Thoughts

From my observations of the Pygmy people, I have learned that the forest is their god. They believe that it is their father and mother and their ultimate provider. Without the forest, they would be unable to live; they believe that when it dies, they will die as well. Unlike the villagers, the Pygmies do not have any use for belief in evil spirits or witchcraft. They believe that the forest is good and has given them a life that leaves them able to not worry about troubles or witchcraft. However, they have seen enough of it in the villages to be wary. While they do not believe in evil spirits, they do believe that other spirits can show up in dreams; the dream world is filled with meaning to the Pygmies, and is held in high regard. 

The Pygmies have a special ritual that they perform each night around the fire called the molimo. This is when the men of the camp dance and sing songs of praise to the forest. They have a trumpet-like instrument, also called a molimo, which they use to make strange animal sounds. This is for the benefit of the women and children, who are supposed to believe that there is a fearsome animal in the forest that eats the food that they gather from each house and bring to the fire. The women and children know that this is simply the men praising the forest. However, they do act as if they are scared and have no idea what is going on. 
            Religion of the Pygmies is animistic and very personal; therefore their religion is individualistic. While they come together around the molimo fire, the Pygmies take charge of their beliefs and have no need for shamans, prophets, or priests. 

My choice of theory could get a bit confusing at times, such as in the case of the molimo; this does not have one meaning. The molimo can refer to the fire that the men sit around each night, but it can also refer to the trumpet-like instrument they use to make animal sounds, the dancing and singing around the fire, the passage of adulthood for boys and girls when they perform their own molimo, or the ritual performed when a person dies. These were the times that I had to pay special attention to the uses of the word; this was also when I had to make sure that I fully understood the meaning of molimo.  

If I were to do this again, I think that I would keep my choice in theory. Religion is a very important part of every culture; it embodies all aspects of life. Therefore, there is much to learn by choosing religion as my ethnographic specialty, and I have found this theory to be valuable– especially when studying the BaMbuti Pygmies. Religion of the Pygmies is a very interesting topic of study; while it appears as if there is no special belief upon first observing them, this is not the case. The Pygmies are a very religious people, and this is shown in every area of their lives. The forest provides for them, and in turn they thank it for being good to its children. By studying the religion of the Pygmies, I found that I have learned a lot about the people themselves and feel that I can understand them better. 

Post#16: Chapter 15

Pygmies are safe in the forest; once they are out in the open, however, such as in the village, they are prone to influences of evil such as witchcraft.

A certain type of honey is available at a certain point in the season in the forest. It becomes fermented due to the dead grubs in it, which can cause intoxication. The Pygmies do not need this, however; they, as Mr. Turnbull put it, are "drunk with the forest, with its beauty and abundance, and with the love it showers on people".

Every night people gather around the fire and sing songs of joy and praise to the forest.

Mr. Turnbull and I came across Kenge one night by himself, singing and dancing. He claimed that he was not dancing alone, but rather with the forest.

By traveling alone in the forest, it is as if you are daring to look into the face of the great god of the forest himself; the goodness and beauty of the world around you is so overpowering.

A great song of praise for the Pygmies: "If darkness is, darkness is good".

*Observations*

When out of the forest, the Pygmies believe that they are subject to all kinds of evil- witchcraft especially. When in the forest, however, they are safe. While honey is welcomed, the Pygmies do not have need for the type of honey that can cause intoxication; rather, they are drunk with the forest and the love it showers on them. The fire is a place where the Pygmies gather to sing songs of joy and praise to the forest, which shows their gratitude. Kenge exhibited this by dancing by himself- or rather, with the forest as he sang songs of praise. When traveling alone, the beauty and goodness of the forest is so overpowering, Mr. Turnbull believes that it is as if you are daring to look into the face of the god of the forest. Pygmies do not believe that darkness is evil; rather, they sing a song of praise about it, stating that if it is, then it is good.

Post #15: Chapter 14

Mr. Turnbull brought Kenge, his Pygmy friend, and I to Ishango National Park to show Kenge what the world was like outside of the forest. When we left, we stopped where the road leaves the heights above the plains and crosses over to the forest plateau. When Kenge saw this beautiful sight, he stated that this god must be the same god as the Pygmies'- that they must be one god.

When the forest dies, the Pygmies believe that they shall die as well because they are the people of the forest.

*Observations*

While the Pygmies believe that their god is the forest and the villagers do not hold the same belief, Kenge, a Pygmy, believed that seeing the beautiful sight at the Park showed that the god he was looking at was the same as the one that he and the other Pygmies worship in the forest- that they are one god. With the forest being the Pygmies' god, they believe that they will die when the forest dies due to the fact that the forest provides everything for them. If they do not have the forest, then they do not have a means of provision.

Post #14: Chapter 13

Mr. Turnbull has been identified not as a villager, but rather "miki nde ndura", or "son of the forest".

*Observations*

By adapting to the Pygmy culture, Mr. Turnbull has observed and learned all that he can about these people. They have welcomed him into their culture and treat him as they would any other Pygmy- no matter how much taller Mr. Turnbull is than them. He has been called a "son of the forest"; each Pygmy believes that the forest is his father and mother, his ultimate provider. By calling Mr. Turnbull a "son of the forest", they have welcomed him as one of their own.

Post #13: Chapter 12

The Pygmies believe that their forest values would be desecrated if they bring them into the village. That is why they do not sing their sacred forest songs in the village. Therefore, they temporarily adopt village customs.

The Pygmies do not practice any sorcery or witchcraft, but have seen enough of it among the villagers to be uneasy about it. The only time they think of such things is when they are in the village or villagers are visiting the forest.

Pygmies believe that a single villager can visit the forest and bring evil with him, but that evil can leave along with the person.

*Observations*

Forest values are important to the Pygmies. They are instilled in their lives from an early age; therefore, they are sacred to the Pygmies. When visiting the villages, they do not sing any of the sacred songs of the forest so not to desecrate these values and temporarily adopt the village customs. The villagers believe in evil spirits, witchcraft, and sorcery, whereas the Pygmies do not. However, they have seen enough of it among the villagers to be wary of it. They do believe that evil can be brought into the forest by a single villager, but that the evil can leave with the person. This is unlike the villagers, who believe that evil spirits can linger.

Post #12: Chapter 11

Marriages occurred. Kenge, Mr. Turnbull's close Pygmy friend, was among them. Nothing occurred that related to my area of study.

Post #11: Chapter 10

When a person dies, the Pygmies sing in memory of the deceased during the molimo.

*Observations*

The villagers live in constant fear of the dead and evil spirits. Rather than mourn the death of loved ones, the villagers lay them to rest as quickly as possible after they perform rituals to make the spirits depart. This is not so for the Pygmies. They sing and dance during the molimo that goes on for months in honor of the person who has died. This is their way of remembering that person. 

Post #10: Chapter 9

To show gratitude, the Pygmies sing songs of praise and thanks to the forest whenever something good happens- such as someone being healed after becoming ill.

*Observations*

Although there are villagers who interact with the Pygmies and do not believe the same, the Pygmies at times sing songs of the molimo in the presence of the villagers. This only occurs when that villager is a lover of the forest, such as the Pygmies. When something good occurs, songs of praise and thanks come from the Pygmies to show their gratitude to the forest for helping one of its children.

Post #9: Chapter 8

A basket of food near the central fireplace in the Pygmy camp is evidence of a kumamolimo, and that the god of the Forest was being invoked and was waiting nearby.

The Pygmies believe in a benevolent deity or supernatural being that they identify with the forest.

The act or matter in which a ritual is performed is not important to the Pygmies, but the thought that goes into it.

Upon first glance, the molimo is thought to be the concern of only men. However, women become involved in this ritual when they take part in the molimo upon reaching the age of puberty and womanhood.

*Observations*

The forest is the Pygmy's god. As such it is a supernatural being. Food is gathered from each hut and brought to the kumamolimo; this signals that the god of the Forest is being invoked, and is waiting nearby to eat the food offered. The Pygmies do not pay much attention to the way that a ritual is performed such as the villagers, but rather pay more attention to the thought that goes into it. While upon first glance the molimo is only meant for men to attend, women also take part in this ritual once they have reached womanhood. They sing and dance with as much fervor as the men.

Post #8: Chapter 7

The forest looks after its children, silently reassuring them through life in the forest that all is well.

The Pygmies are all children of the forest.

The dream world of the Pygmies is full of hidden meaning and significance.

The forest is both mother and father to the Pygmies.

*Observations*

As the center of everything to the Pygmies, the forest is both father and mother to them. As such, it looks after its children and reassures them that all is well. All Pygmies are children of the forest. While the Pygmies do not believe in superstition and witchcraft, they do believe that dreams are full of hidden meaning and significance; spirits can appear in these dreams.

Post #7: Chapter 6

Women and children are excluded from the molimo; only the men are able to participate in it. 

On certain occasions of crime, the matter is taken up by the molimo. This results in the hut of the accused being attacked- and in some cases, the accused himself. 

No one person can live in the forest by himself; rather than just dying, the Pygmies believe that the forest will kill him. 

In certain arguments, the molimo steps in and shows disapproval of the matter at hand.

The forest is the great provider to the Pygmies. It is the standard by every deed and thought is judged, and is chief, lawgiver, leader, and final arbitrator, as Mr. Turnbull put it. 

*Observations*

The molimo is intended for men; the women and children do not attend, and stay inside the huts while the men pretend that a large animal is out in the forest. When crime occurs, there are certain instances where the molimo takes up the matter and ransacks the hut of the accused. The molimo also shows disapproval in certain arguments. The Pygmies also believe that the forest can kill a person, and that no one can live in it by himself. As their great provider, the Pygmies judge every deed and thought by it. To them, the forest is their leader and chief, as well as judge. 

Post #6: Chapter 5

During times of hunting, there are certain forms of "hunting magic". This is when certain rituals are performed, such as making a paste out of different parts of an antelope and then smearing it on oneself before going out to hunt.

Private magic is frowned upon, but not forbidden.

The hunting fire is sacred, and something that is considered right and necessary.

The forest provides the Pygmies animals for their food, to which they are grateful.

*Observations*

Hunting is important to the Pygmies. It gives them food, which the forest has provided for them. Before going out to hunt, certain rituals are performed, such as the making of a paste that is smeared on a person. Private magic is frowned upon, but there is no law against it; however, the only thing that the Pygmies believe is right and necessary during hunts is the hunting fire.

Post #5: Chapter 4

Pygmies believe that they are the children of the forest, and as such have no need to fear; the forest will provide for them.

The molimo, which the Pygmies say is a large animal, is in fact just the instrument that is a part of the molimo ritual. The noise that it produces makes them sacred; in and of itself, the instrument itself is not sacred.

The molimo of the Pygmies is not concerned with ritual or magic. It is devoid of any ritual and is instead expressed in actions or words.

At night the women and children shut themselves up in their huts while the men sit around the kumamolimo, where they sing, dance, and eat.

While the women and children are thought to believe that the molimo is a large animal of the forest and are meant to hear the noises it makes, it is in fact just the molimo trumpets making the noises.

Whenever there is trouble in life, the Pygmies call out the molimo, and things always get better.

The forest is like a father and mother to the Pygmies; it is good, and nothing bad is in it. Not only this, but the forest is their god.

*Observations*

As children of the forest, the Pygmies believe that the forest is both a mother and father to them. As such, it provides for them and it is good; in fact, it is their god. To show their pleasure and thanks, the men perform the molimo ritual each night to sing and dance for the forest. The molimo instrument used to make animal noises is not sacred in and of itself, but rather the noise that it produces is what makes it so. The women and children are shut up inside at night while the men perform the molimo; the noises that the trumpets make are to let the women and children believe that there is an animal out there. The molimo is called out to whenever there is trouble or distress in life, and everything always gets better afterwards.

Post #4: Chapter 3

The molimo festival, which is held in high regard in the Pygmy culture, typically only involves the men. The central place where it is held is called the kumamolimo, or "the place of the molimo".

The Pygmies gather food from hut to hut to feed the molimo, who the Pygmies believe is a hungry animal that likes to eat a lot of food.

The molimo also refers to an instrument used during the molimo; it is an important part of the ritual.

*Observations*

The molimo is an important part of the Pygmy culture. The men take part of this ritual of singing and dancing every night, and at times they gather food from each hut to feed the molimo. They say that the molimo is a hungry animal that likes to eat food. Not only is the molimo an animal and a ritual they perform, but it is also an instrument used in this ritual.

Post #3: Chapter 2

After the death of one of the Pygmies, the men of the camp started to sing; this was the molimo, which includes sounds in the forest which answer back and dancing around the fire.

The Pygmies do not have a great belief in witchcraft or sorcery, as the Negro villagers do.

By performing the ritual of the molimo, the Pygmies are making the forest happy.


*Observations*

The molimo is held in high regard to the Pygmies. They sing and dance around a fire while the forest answers back. They believe that by performing this ritual, they are making the forest happy. Unlike the Negroes in the village, the Pygmies do not have any great belief in witchcraft or sorcery. This shows me that, while the Pygmies live in such close proximity of the Negroes, they do not allow them to influence their beliefs in the forest being good; the Negroes do not believe such a thing. While the Negroes believe that song Pygmies are witches or sorcerers, the Pygmies do not hold such things in high regard; it is not a part of their beliefs.

Post #2: Chapter 1

The forest people sing "a lusty chorus of praise" to the forest, as Mr. Turnbull put it, for giving them everything they want.

The BaMbuti do not believe in evil spirits because in their world, there is little hardship.

The molimo, a religious festival, is celebrated by the Pygmies; they sing simple melodies, beat on drums, and and dance wild erotic dances.

The men of the Pygmies sing songs of praise to the forest, and the molimo answers them.

                                                                                                                                                     *Observations*

The Bambuti Pygmies do not appear to be very religious at first glance. However, upon further observation, I have noted that the Pygmies take much care to show their gratitude to the forest, which they believe has blessed them with many gifts. They do not believe in evil spirits as the villagers do; this is shown in their outlook on life, which is that there is little hardship for there to be reason for evil spirits. The molimo is a ritual that is held in high regard, and is something that the Pygmies take great seriousness in. It is a time where they sing songs of praise to the forest. This shows me that the Pygmies are, in fact, very religious.

Religion of the Pygmies

I am joining Mr. Turnbull in Africa to study and learn more about the BaMbuti Pygmies of Africa; while Mr. Turnbull is going to be observing the Pygmies as a whole, I will be focusing on the religion of this culture. I chose this because religion is significant in the lives of every person. It is an important part of any culture, whether people are conscious of this or not.

Religion can range from any type of superstitions, practices, or beliefs that a culture has. Each culture has a different set of beliefs and a different religion; while many cultures have similar religions, they vary from place to place. The BaMbuti Pygmies are a fascinating culture with a unique way of expressing their religion. While they live very closely with the Negroes in Africa, they are vastly different and are not afraid to show it. This is why I chose to study this anthropological theory while Mr. Turnbull and I will be living among the Pygmies.