Rwanda: Batwa pygmies - dances, culture, music (fitamball-africa.de), part 1

[dogblessamerica]

I read that the Rwandan government has been burning down the thatch roofs of traditional Batwa houses, in order to force them to use 'modern' building methods. Do you think it should be the Batwa's choice whether they decide to modernise and come out of the forest, or indeed to stay and live traditionally? These people have been given a lot of assistance, but I expect not all the Batwa can expect such support. How will they live and will their quality of life actually be improved?

[idoltyler06]

@dogblessamerica I think that in a way it may make life a little easier, but people have lived like that for years, and they are fine, with exceptions of illness that can happen anywhere. I think if they want to keep there traditional homes with thatch roofs they should be able to keep them. Sure the modern homes in many ways are safer, but it's becoming to cookie cutter. And I don't wanna see the beauty of these places lost just to fit in modern society.