Bayaka, Central African Republic
Location: Southwest Rainforests in Central African Republic
Aya are a group of people who live by the spirit of the jungle, ‘Jengi.’ They have a rich knowledge of herbs and use their own language. The Aya are one of many tribes that live in this remote part of Africa, with a total population of about half a million. Elders report that they are unable to teach traditional skills as they can’t go into the deep forest.
Future outlook: Many Pygmy communities are losing their traditional livelihoods due to the loss of lands for conservation projects and logging.