The First People of the Congo
In The First People of the Congo, host Simon Reeve travels through the Congo and meets the Baka community, the first Indigenous people of the Congo Basin. The Baka people are skilled at building huts quickly, with the women doing most of the work while the men hunt. They live simply, taking only what they need from the forest and sharing everything with one another, a lifestyle that has survived despite the challenges they faced from European colonists. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
Lesson Express
Q: Why do you think the Baka people were forced to retreat deeper into the forest after European colonists arrived?
A: The Baka people were forced to retreat because European colonists exploited and mistreated them, labeling them as "pygmy" and causing many deaths. The colonists’ actions disrupted their way of life, and moving deeper into the forest was a way to protect themselves and preserve their culture.
Q: How does the Baka community’s quick ability to build huts demonstrate their skills and resourcefulness?
A: The Baka women’s ability to build huts for the entire community in just days shows their impressive skills in using natural resources from the forest. It also highlights their strong sense of community and teamwork, as they work together to create a safe and functional living space.
Q: In what ways do the Baka people’s values of sharing and simplicity contrast with modern consumer culture?
A: The Baka people’s values of sharing and only taking what they need contrast with modern consumer culture, where people often take more than necessary and prioritize material possessions. The Baka’s way of life focuses on community and sustainability, while consumer culture often emphasizes individualism and excess.
More Like This
In A Night in the Untamed Congo, host Simon Reeve and his guide, Addams, journey into the Congo Basin, one of the most unexplored places on Earth. After traveling by boat, they trek through the rainforest, facing swampy terrain and the challenges of the wild. As night falls, they set up camp and make a fire for safety, knowing the forest’s predators are afraid of it. Addams shares how the Baka people, who live here year-round, thrive in harmony with the forest, showing how different their survival skills are from outsiders. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In Honey Hunters of the Congo, host Simon Reeve spends time with the Baka community in the Congo, learning their way of life. He joins the men on a hunt through the rainforest, where they collect fruits, nuts, and fresh honeycomb from a towering tree using a smoker. Back in the village, the Baka share everything they gather, showing unity as a community. Simon gets a taste of the honey and a glimpse of how deeply connected the Baka people are to each other and the rainforest. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In The Baka People Confront Deforestation and Disease, host Simon Reeve spends time with the Baka people in the Congo, who live peacefully in the rainforest. He learns their biggest challenges aren't from nature, but from medical issues like malaria and conflicts with neighboring people. The dense rainforest canopy helps protect them from mosquitoes, but deforestation is making the situation worse. They share their struggles, including the long trek to get medical help and the violence they face from the Bantu. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In A Night in the Untamed Congo, host Simon Reeve and his guide, Addams, journey into the Congo Basin, one of the most unexplored places on Earth. After traveling by boat, they trek through the rainforest, facing swampy terrain and the challenges of the wild. As night falls, they set up camp and make a fire for safety, knowing the forest’s predators are afraid of it. Addams shares how the Baka people, who live here year-round, thrive in harmony with the forest, showing how different their survival skills are from outsiders. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In Honey Hunters of the Congo, host Simon Reeve spends time with the Baka community in the Congo, learning their way of life. He joins the men on a hunt through the rainforest, where they collect fruits, nuts, and fresh honeycomb from a towering tree using a smoker. Back in the village, the Baka share everything they gather, showing unity as a community. Simon gets a taste of the honey and a glimpse of how deeply connected the Baka people are to each other and the rainforest. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In The Baka People Confront Deforestation and Disease, host Simon Reeve spends time with the Baka people in the Congo, who live peacefully in the rainforest. He learns their biggest challenges aren't from nature, but from medical issues like malaria and conflicts with neighboring people. The dense rainforest canopy helps protect them from mosquitoes, but deforestation is making the situation worse. They share their struggles, including the long trek to get medical help and the violence they face from the Bantu. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.