The Forest People

Turnbull describes how the BaMbuti engage in the act of play, and how necessary it is to their growth. The children call their peers brother and sister, despite not being related by blood. Likewise, they call all men and women in the same age group mother and father, meaning that everyone is a parent to another’s child. Those of older generations are referred to as grandparents. This shows how, as with the law, there is not a set role in the BaMbuti village. Though children indeed know who their birth parents are, everyone takes part in rearing a child, just as everyone takes part in disciplining children when need be.

Children pattern themselves after the adults in their play. Their playground is called a bopi. Girls often play house. During this game, they make small huts for their “husbands,” and cook for them. The boys mimic the men with spears. They might kill small animals or spear vegetables, and the girls cook the food and serve it. The two children might even sleep in the same bed to mirror togetherness. In this way, children are taught how to care for each other from an early age. Children are also adept at tree climbing and flexibility from a young age, some even before they can walk.