My purpose in this paper is to share all of the information possible about the Mbuti culture. They are one of several indigenous hunter-gatherer groups in the Congo region of Africa. They tend to reside within an extremely thick and dense forest that provides them with everything they need to survive. There are those who welcome and embrace change, and then there are those who do not want change to occur in their lives. Change is most likely not in the vocabulary of the Mbuti people unless it is prefaced by the word avoid. Protection from outsiders would have to rank as one of the most important factors in continuing their way of life within their culture. It is often such a remote place in which they live that if they do not want to be found, that’s pretty much the end of it, and you are most likely not going to find them. They are a peaceful people, who find their home, the rainforest, as a sacred place. They use song as a way of rejoicing, and to show devotion to the forest and their home.
The Mbuti may choose to interact with the villagers for convenience, not because they are subservient to the villagers despite the villager’s claims. It is an important part of their lives and they are concerned about their interaction with the villagers whose territory overlaps theirs and the relationship remaining friendly in nature which will continue to allow them to cohabitate the area together. Their only outside influences that may cause any sort of change to their culture would be their interaction with the villagers. One of the huge factors in keeping them grounded and virtually unchanged over the years is that their influences are limited due to their location. The forest in which the Mbuti most often reside in is simply too dense and dangerous for humans not familiar with the area to enter.
Before the children are born to the group, a tribal marriage must occur. Marriage takes place soon after hitting puberty for most members. Puberty is when they...