Is this a good example of catering for people of differieng cultures ?


"Outrage as Pygmies put in zoo
Email Print Normal font Large font July 16, 2007

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AdvertisementBRAZZAVILLE: A group of Pygmy musicians performing at an annual festival were temporarily put up in a zoo by Congolese officials, prompting a protest from a human rights group.

After a flurry of radio, TV and newspaper stories, authorities moved the Pygmies to a high school dormitory late on Friday. They are now being housed with musicians from elsewhere in the Republic of Congo, while artists from abroad are in hotels.

Their presence in a tent on the zoo grounds had attracted tourists, the Congolese Observatory for Human Rights said.

Other artists performing at the Festival of Pan-African Music were lodged in hotels. Officials said they offered the indigenous musicians accommodation on the forested zoo grounds so the 10 women, nine men and one baby would feel more at home.

"[We] vigorously protest the discrimination, exploitation and bad treatment of these 20 indigenous people," the human rights group said. "Since their arrival in Brazzaville on July 4, these people have been sleeping exposed to mosquitoes and the cold … whereas the other delegations have been housed in hotels."

Congolese officials said their intention was to place the Pygmies in a familiar setting.

"It's not a case of discrimination," said Yvette Lebondzo, the director of arts and culture. "We lodged them in the park near running water and a forest simply because that will remind them of their usual surroundings - which is the forest."

Associated Press

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/07/15/1184438148988.html

Provided they were given a choice in the matter, yes.

Wow... very complicated situation here.


Okay... yes... that's catering to their culture. Because they prepared a zoo for them.

I don't know what that human rights guy is sqawking about though...

...he should be happy that the Government has decided to set up familiar surroundings for the 'Pygmies' or whatever the hell they are.