Music Making in the Bwete Ritual. On the Ambivalent Relationship between Babongo Pygmies and Their Neighbours in the Chaillu Mountains of Gabon
Résumé
In this paper I examine the relationship between the Babɔngɔ Pygmies of the Chaillu mountains of south-central Gabon, Africa, and their Mitsɔgɔ/Masangu neighbours as it is expressed in rituals and musical performances. I argue that this is an ambivalent relationship that both subordinates yet still includes the Babɔngɔ within the social sphere of their non-Pygmy neighbours. Drawing attention to the Babɔngɔ perspective on this relationship, I highlight that ambivalence also results from the Babɔngɔ belonging to two normative systems. I suggest that the ritual context – both in its mythological and performative aspect – offers an overall and clear perception of the Pygmies/neighbours relationship in the Chaillu mountains. Lastly, a brief comparison is drawn between Babɔngɔ and their neighbours and the relations that occur among other Pygmy groups of Central Africa and their neighbours.