Bangweulu Twa, or the BaTwa of the Bangweulu swamps, are one of several groups of Twa living in Zambia.[1] Others are Kafwe Twa and Lukanga Twa. They are also known by the names BaTwa[2] or Abatwa.[3] While other Twa groups that are scattered across equatorial Africa are described as pygmy groups and averaging about 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) in height, the Bangweulu Twa are described as taller and at least partly of Bantu origin[4][5] but they may be the descendants of former hunter-gatherer groups.[6][7]
After the coming of various outside Bantu groups to the area, groups of Twa moved to swamps and marsh land territories in Zambia.[8] In descriptions from the early 20th century Bangweulu Twa are said to live off the land, they had no domestic animals but cultivated around ant-hills and on other raised patches. Through trade with inland neighbours they got meal and grain.[4][9]