JJ Harrison, the private and public records about the ‘Pygmy People’ of the Ituri Forest.

By Rowena Smith

Warning: In this article the term ‘Pygmy’ or ‘Pygmies’ has been used as this is the term used by Harrison to describe members of at least 2 indigenous groups within the Ituri Forest region of Africa. The article contains transcripts from his diaries  and from his book “Life among the Pygmies”[1]

James Jonathan Harrison was born in July 1857, the son of Jonathan Stables Harrison a “landed proprietor” who resided at ‘Brandesburton Hall’, Beverley.  He lived a privileged lifestyle with servants available to provide for him. He will have addressed the servants by name (although probably just by surname), yet in his diaries it is rare that he uses the names of  the indigenous people who work as part of his expedition team nor the 6 indigenous people he brought back to the United Kingdom.

In 1904 during one of his expeditions to Africa Harrison encountered his first ‘pygmy’.   

Friday 4th March, 1904.

“…saw my first pygmy man, quite a quaint looking object. …. Photo of pygmy who is thirty years of age and stands 3 ft. 11 ½ “

Friday, 18th March, 1904.

“I took a photo of another pygmy to-day; too funny how he stood for the big camera, but when I pointed the binocular at him he gave a wild scream, dropped his bow and arrows and fled!”

In his book Harrison states that ‘it was some pygmy photographs taken on this trip which caused so many friends at home to ask why I could not bring some of these pygmies to England and I was thus first led to think of doing so.’ …………..’I also asked permission when in Brussels to take home some of the pygmies and was most kindly granted it on giving every assurance of there being volunteers well treated and returned again to their homes’ . At this time the Congo Free State was a corporate state in Central Africa privately owned by King Leopold II of Belgium. 

Monday, February 27th, 1905.

“We were most warmly received and found a large band of pygmies all come in from the forest to greet us. They at once started a dance to two tom toms. Two of their old chiefs were flat nosed and rather hairy. The little ladies were rather nice.”

“I succeeded today in inducing a boy of 18 to go along and said he must try and get some of the others to come. He is called Bartie and a quaint little chap. Clad in his red blanket he heads the cavalcade.”

This encounter is described somewhat differently in his book as follows: “we heard of an old native chief who had living with him a young pygmy boy of 18, called Mongongu,  who could also talk Swahili. By the aid of numerous presents we induced the old man to let the boy accompany us, giving him blankets and clothes, with promises of more if he could induce others to visit England with us. This little fellow became a great favourite with all our party and was quite happy when on or near the donkeys. He formed a quaint picture, clad in his bright red blanket, with one of my old terai hats on, stepping out leading our caravan.”

Wednesday, March 1st, 1905.

“About two a chief came in and after giving him presents he brought in about 20 men. Later we induced about 12 ladies to come. We loaded them with presents in hopes they will become friendly.”

Friday, March 3rd, 1905.

“Our Pygmy friends have now quite taken to us and come in of their own accord, nor do the ladies run away on seeing us”

Wednesday, March 8th, 1905.

“Held a big dance late in the afternoon so that we could pick out those we would most like to persuade to accompany us home. Luckily we have quite won their confidence now and they are not at all frightened or suspicious. Of course one has to work things very carefully. Our plan was to pick out eight and say they were the best dancers. These we gave extra presents to and then said we should like them to accompany us back to the next resting place, Myarabeau, there to dance and hunt with us. They have promised to come, but of course that is nothing to rely on, though presents to the Chief has made him say they must. Two of the ladies happen to be his daughters.”

Thursday, March 9th, 1905.

“Our little friends got rather frightened at our picking out some of them and asking them to go along to Myarabeau, and when they were called for hunting many went off into the bush. However, after a while we got the chief to come in and reassured him, so he collected his people, and though late went out hunting.”

The return trip to Egypt with his party again is described differently between the book (a public picture) and his diaries. The book states:

“our party now consisted of Chief Bokane, aged 35, Matuka, aged 23, Mafutiminga (or the fat boy), aged 22, Mongongu, aged 18, an ugly old lady of 31 called Amuriape, and a good looking lady of 22, by name Kuarke, called by us princess…. The return journey to the Nile was exceedingly trying, as I gave up all the  donkeys, besides hammocks, for carrying our friends. We had to lift them off and on nearly every quarter of a mile it was most tiring, but we dare not risk them riding over rotten bridges, or going up and down inclines. Besides this the women were always going off to sleep, and had several tumbles in consequence. We had to be most careful to travel them as much as possible out of the sun, for this knocks them over at once. I must say they were very plucky, and, though often very tired, when interrogated would answer, “Yes, we are tired, but Master is kind to us, and we will go on to the next village.””

 In contrast, his diaries of the time read slightly differently:

 Monday, March 13th, 1905.

 “Up at 4.30 ……….. Hard day's march for our little friends, but luckily no sun. However, I used all the donkeys, mounting the fat lady on mine, so I only got one hour's ride out of 10 ½. The Pygmies look very quaint riding, but really sit very well. I have two men along to look after them who can talk their lingo.”

Wednesday, March 15th, 1905.

“Mounted all our little people on the donkeys and some of them now ride very well and like it. ….. The Pygmies are much delighted to see natives fly when they see our donkeys coming along. We had to supply two with our own terai hats as they cannot stand the sun. One of the women had a touch of fever last night. Charming people, and all porters seem perfectly happy and contented.”

Saturday, March 18th, 1905.

“Carried two of the Mambutti in hammocks.”

“Pygmies go splendidly and are all as happy as crickets. They can hardly realize they are soon to have more new clothes and blankets.”

Sunday, March 19th, 1905.

“Big woman seems worse - pain in back; again in hammock.”

“I am much afraid one of our ladies is going to have measles, a rash having come out. Such bad luck as I must leave her behind. We have isolated her and shall give all a good wash with carbolic soap.”

“We were very lucky in reaching Khartoum safely, without any of the pygmies being at all sick, except the old woman, who was suffering from complications caused by an old healed up wound in the back and knee, caused by a poisoned spear in a tribal fight. Everyone was most kind to them all the way down, and my great fear was their being killed by kindness, their one idea of perfect bliss being to eat and sleep, while their bugbear was to exercise and to wash. I see already some people in utter ignorance of their forest life are writing on the atrocious crime of dragging these people over here. They do not think of how much good it may do when these same people return, and round the camp fires tell over and over again the wonders and kindness of the white masters. Instead of dragging out a mere existence during the nine month rainy season, half starved and attacked by all sorts of diseases, my little friends are having the time of their life, good food, clothes and the best of medical advice, visiting a country whose climate I believe will suit them splendidly  - already each nearly a stone heavier; I fear the little hearts will be sad when the time comes to go home. Another year I have no doubts half the inhabitants of the Ituri forest will clamour to come.”

About the author

Rowena Smith - is a retired health care professional having worked in many clinical and managerial roles. She now enjoys volunteering as a citizen researcher, as well as continuing her own hobbies including sewing, knitting and travel.

References

1. Harrison, J. J. (1905) ‘Life Among The Pygmies’, london, Hutchinson & Co.