The term “Pygmy” in anthropology refers to a member of any human group whose adult males grow to less than 59 inches (150 cm) in average height. These individuals are characterized by their small stature, and a member of a slightly taller group is termed pygmoid. The best-known Pygmy groups are found in tropical Africa, particularly the Pygmies of the Congo Basin. Additionally, some of the San (Bushmen) of the Kalahari in Africa are also of Pygmy size. In Asia, there are Pygmy groups, commonly known as Negritos. The physical similarities between African and Asian Pygmy groups are a result of their long period of adaptation to similar environments.
Most Pygmy people are hunters and gatherers, and they do not practice agriculture or cattle raising. Many maintain close symbiotic relations with other groups in their region, leading to the loss of their indigenous languages and the adoption of the languages of their neighbors. The Bambuti (Mbuti) of the Ituri Forest in Congo (Kinshasa) are a well-known Pygmy group that exemplifies cultural change as a result of acculturation with neighboring peoples. They are believed to be the earliest inhabitants of the region.
Another prominent Pygmy group in equatorial Africa is the Twa (Batwa), who live in the high mountains and plains around Lake Kivu, in Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi. They coexist with the pastoral Tutsi, the agricultural Hutu, and other tribes. The Twa specialize in pottery and hunting, and some members serve as court musicians and attendants. In the marshes south of the Congo River, there is a large group of Tswa (Batswa) who, like the Twa, have adopted much of the culture and language of neighboring tribes. They primarily sustain themselves through fishing and trapping.
North of the Congo, in the forest west of the Ubangi River, are the Babinga, an acculturated group of pygmoids who share cultural characteristics with the Pygmies of the Ituri Forest. In Cameroon and Gabon, there are also scattered Pygmy groups. Pygmy groups have made significant cultural adaptations due to their interactions with neighboring populations. Their unique way of life as hunters and gatherers, as well as their close relationships with other groups, have shaped their cultural identities over time.