Exploring Indigenous Leadership - Inspiring a new generation of Baka Leaders

This training was conducted in line with the Keta project’s objective of empowering a new generation of Baka women and men leaders, in a culturally appropriate manner. It is built on the idea that projecting spirituality brings to the forefront the question of identity and self-determination. A cultural revival will help the Baka to reclaim their identity, be proud of it, and take steps towards their self-determination.

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The aim of the workshop was to facilitate the development of a new core of dynamic Baka leaders from the Djoum-Mintom-Ngoyla forest zone, who will ensure leadership through cultural revival within communities and promote culturally appropriate approaches to influence decision-making processes that concern them.

Specifically, the workshop aimed to:

• Facilitate a Baka self-assessment as individuals and as a community to dispel low self-esteem and build identity. Create a space for the Baka to analyse how Baka perceive themselves, how they think others perceive them, and their understanding of the reasons behind the difference.

• Facilitate deep analyses of recurrent Baka problems, through mapping of their ancestral lands and territories and assessing their relationships with local institutions and other resource use actors.

• Develop action plans to guide leaders and the leadership process.