11. Territory The forest people do not live permanently in one particular place in the forest. They frequently move their campsites, engaging themselves in hunting and plant gathering. Within a territory of about 150 square kilometers, there are 4-6 camps, and the people move from one to another at intervals of 2 weeks-2 months depending on the catch and the harvest. At times, old camps are abandoned and new camps are opened in the forest. We once examined a territory, and discovered as many as over 30 old campsites. This means that in the forest there are places here and there where the Mbuti once lived, and thereby enriched the soil.
ICHIKAWA Mitsuo |