Three years on, they are proud of their achievements so far. Today we are settled and agriculture is our main activity. We practise it with the spirit of 'Subibaba', which in Bagyeli means 'unity is strength'. Our farms may be small and disorderly but every day we are learning to improve on them and adopt modern technology. In addition to agriculture we operate a loan-thrift society to provide better utensils for our women.
Bagyeli villages are a far cry from what they used to be two decades ago.
The traditional makeshift huts have given way to mud- plastered houses roofed with zinc sheets and equipped with modern furniture. The wireless set is a familiar companion. The Bagyeli have also understood the importance of education and now send their children to school. Today they are 60 and are among the best pupils. A government programme to provide free education to pygmy children is yet to take root.