THE FOREST VOICES TOUR
diary

March 22nd 2014

Farewell Baka Gbiné

After one more night in Bertoua with no incidents or stabbings we see the band off, accompanied by Andi who saw them all safely home in a newly painted Alliance bus.

This short tour had a huge impact that far exceeded our expectations.

Seeing an entirely Baka band from another part of the forest was a life-changing experience for the Baka of the Dja Reserve. All their lives they have been told by their Bantu neighbours that they are little better than animals.

It would never have occurred to them that such a thing was possible. Seeing other Baka expressing themselves on film encouraged them to record their own thoughts and experiences on camera.

The Baka of Moloundou were able to see where the "progress" that is now being forced upon them is likely to lead. It's all very well to offer "development", but the reality is a life of discrimination.

The people who make decisions for the Baka do not hear what they themselves want. The Forest Voices Tour gives the Baka the chance to speak and be heard.

The only criticism we had of the tour was that we didn't go to enough communities. We intend to remedy this by organising a bigger, better tour.