Located in the Ituri forest, they are associated with the Bila/Babila people.
The Mbuti consider themselves the children of the forest. Music is tied to their belief with Molimo. It is a sacred instrument that is used with the balance between the forest and the people is uneven and when the balance between noise and silence in uneven also. Both men and women are equal, with both genders have an equal voice in matters of the community. Both genders do what needs to be done to get the food needed. They mainly use the net trapping method, mainly capturing antelope, compared to poisoned arrows. The Mbuti release gender conflict in the village by having an annual "tug-of-war" of sorts. The men and women will take up separate sides, working against the other group. When a side begins to lose, a member of the other gender will join their side, criticising their gender as they help aid in the constructed conflict. . The event concludes when everyone has changed sides. For marriage, Bride Wealth is usually not used. Instead, they do sister exchange, where men from different bands will exchange sisters, which helps in preventing inbreeding. |
Mbuti woman singing
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