Batwa Community
Batwa are one of the ethnic groups that one would meet on a cultural encounter in Semuliki National Park, to see their life style. They do speak a click language as their way of communication. The indigenous Batwa were evicted out of the Semuliki forest which used to be their home, because of conservational motives by Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
Initially, the Batwa were fruit gatherers and hunters, feeding on leaves. They did not carry any form of farming but lived in the forest and took shelters in holes of big trees or dead woods. They originated from Itura congo forest in the Congo basins. They are short in height and do speak click language however, they are social people who also have a political leadership style of kingship.
Batwa Resettlement
The Batwa currently stay in Boma Cultural Village in Nabisoli at Ntandi near the Semuliki National Park headquarters. This is where they have been given residence by UWA with a motive of improving their standards of living.
They are allowed access to the park at any time for their cultural ceremonies, collection of resources such as firewood, water, herbs and other food materials that would be got from forest. However, they are restricted from hunting. They are being sensitized and encouraged to live a civilized human life. It is from this site that the Batwa demonstrate their ancient lifestyle to visitors, to earn a living.
However, the Batwa still face a lot of pressure from other communities. Because of intermarriages, their ways of living have greatly changed. With great trend of globalization and its impact, some have started going to school. They still know how to interact with visitors, with performances about their rich culture and customs through music, dance and drama.
The Batwa Cultural Trail has been developed to visit the Batwa ceremonial sites and cultural performance at held from.
Kasesenge – Kyakabaseke Community
Kasesenge – Kyabaseke community is located on the eastern escarpments of the rift valley of the park. The park valley is mainly occupied by the Bakiga who migrated to this area back in late 1960’s so as to provide labor to the existing tea estates, as a way of earning a living. The Bakiga are known as prone farmers and a hard working tribe.
Ntoroko Fishing Community
Ntoroko community is based in the south – eastern ends of the Semuliki valley near Semuliki River and Lake Albert. This is between the estuaries of Wasa and Muzizi rivers. Ntoroko communities are mainly dueling around the fishing waters and are known for fishing as their major economic activity.
A visit to this area will expose you to the local fishing gears used by the local community to catch fish. The madfish, catfish and tilapia are the most common fish caught in this area.
Rwebisengo Community on Cultural Encounter in Semuliki
This community is situated on the west and north western edge of the reserve in the Semuliki flats. The community inhabiting this valley area of Tooro – Semuliki National Park are mainly cattle keepers who rear the long-horned Ankole cattle. The cattle supply them with milk which they supply to areas like Karugutu and Bundibugyo district.
They do not own permanent homes since the area is a valley which keeps on flooding. In addition, their grazing land which used to be communal is currently being demarcated because the pressure for demand of land has increased.
The pastoralists are the Batukus, who are believed to have been the royal army of Kabalega of the great Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom.
Karugutu – Kyabandara – Part of the Cultural Encounter in Semuliki
Karugutu community is situated in the south of Semuliki National Park which is roughly 20km from Fort Portal town. This area is habituated by the Bakonjo people who are cultivators. They cultivate the mountain ranges of Rwenzori with crops like maize, cassava, beans and Soya beans. They have also planted some trees on the mountain slopes, using terracing methods to avoid soil from eroding their crops.
Ntoroko market is the major market area where they supply their harvest, while other produce can be sent as far as Fort Portal or Bundibugyo.