The Forest People

In The Forest People, anthropologist Colin M. Turnbull describes his experiences while living as a friend and observer with the BaMbuti (Pygmies) of the Ituri Forest. He shares the everyday lives of the Pygmies located in the Epulu River region and their interactions with each other and with him. The setting is the Belgian Congo, which Turnbull describes as located in the center of Africa. Turnbull had visited the Epulu BaMbuti in 1951. This narrative set in 1954, explores his second adventure with this group. The stay is decidedly longer, and by living with the in their forest camps, Turnbull gleans insight into the ways in which the lives of the are different than those of the Negro villagers, as well as other BaMbuti groups in the area.

Turnbull’s narrative also seeks to debunk previous notions about the BaMbuti. Specifically, Turnbull takes issue with the concept that the Pygmies are dependent on the Negro villagers. Previous anthropologists have incorrectly stated that the Pygmies rely heavily on the graces of their Negro “masters.” The relationship between the Pygmies and the villagers was viewed as one-sided, always in favor of the villagers. As Turnbull lives with the Pygmies, however, he has firsthand knowledge of the real relationship between the Pygmies and the villagers.