We just got back from one of the most amazing trips
that I can ever remember. It felt like
something out of National Geographic. But
let me back up and tell you how it began.
Back in February, a group of homeschooling
missionary children from all over Cameroon were here in Bamenda for two weeks
attending their semi-annual gathering. The
kids have group schooling and special projects.
Our kids were able to join in during a couple of the swim classes and it
was a great time to play with other missionaries. It was there that we met the Conrod family,
who live with the Baka people (one of the Pygmy tribes) in the eastern part of
Cameroon.
I had studied the Pygmies in 7th grade
and found their hunting and gathering lifestyle fascinating. I was thrilled when the Conrods invited us to
come visit them.
So we drove 4 hours east from Yaoundé (which is already
five hours from our house) and then headed down a dirt road with jungle on
either side. We arrived at our friends’
house and immediately saw that they lived in
the Baka village of about ten houses (I had imagined they lived in town and
traveled to the people).
The nearest
“town” is fifteen minutes away and not much than a few fruit stands and a gas
station.
The Baka sleep in small huts with dirt floor, but they
spend the day outside or under a cooking shelter.
They are a quiet and gentle people and are
friendly to outsiders in a reserved way. They tend to move from place to place as the
food crop grows short, but some of them have been stable in this village for
many years.
We stayed in a cottage that was not currently
occupied. It had no electricity, and an
outhouse. There was a sink in one of the
two small rooms. Their house has
electricity, thanks to eight solar panels.
But during the rainy season there is no guarantee there will be enough
sun to have power left for the evening. They
turn on “the tower” for two hours of internet each day. There are two American families and a single
woman (from Canada) who are striving to be a witness by sharing in the daily
lives of the people. One is a doctor,
one a pastor, and one an agriculturalist.
We got to go into their orchard and saw the most
amazing fruits and plants I had ever seen.
Some looked like brains, others like sea anemones, others like
porcupines. Most tasted very good and
were highly nutritious. Their lifestyle
is rustic, but the family is content and the pace of life is very tranquil.
We ventured into the jungle and despite the many flying
insects and stinging nettles, had super adventures—getting to see huge trees
(which are being cut down too quickly), swam with some local boys, and saw how
roofs are made. Our kids loved being
outdoors and exploring the forest. A
young Baka girl came and taught us how to make beignets on an
open fire. I attended a women’s prayer
meeting. Though I didn’t understand a
word, their faith was evident.
If you have a chance, it is worth Googling the Baka,
or the Pygmies in general and learning about them. I already want to go back next year.
- Joy
