The Pygmies, among the last remaining hunter-gatherer peoples of Africa, have a unique culture deeply intertwined with nature. With a population of approximately 900,000, they live in the tropical rainforest of the Congo River Basin in central Africa. Although historically nomadic, many Pygmy communities have transitioned to settled life on the outskirts of cities or forest areas.

However, despite their rich cultural heritage, Pygmy communities face significant challenges in integrating into modern African societies. Many states in the region fail to protect their rights, leading to their marginalization and relegation to the fringes of society. Consequently, their cultural traditions are rapidly disappearing as they are forcibly evicted from their ancestral lands. The causes are deforestation, land grabbing and the militarization of nature reserves.

This reportage project was fulfilled by spending two weeks in the forest with Mbenzele and Baka pygmy communities on the edge of Odzala-Kokoua National Park managed by the controversial African Parks.