Small-scale farmers in Masvingo province are reviving their culture and traditions in a bid to reclaim food sovereignty.
Erina Sarafu (52) is part of a group of small-scale farmers working with EarthLore Foundation in Bikita district, reviving various cultural and traditional practices including “jaka,” a practice that brought the community together to harvest or thresh millets while celebrating life. Erina says the practice of jaka in Zimbabwe is slowly vanishing because of modernisation and the adoption of other cultural practices that promote individualism.
Francis Sarafu (71) is married to Erina. Francis is pleased to see farmers return to the old practices.
“Jaka has revived our traditional way of working and this is a good thing. By following in the footsteps of our ancestors, we have rekindled unity and the spirit of togetherness in our community,” says Francis.
Method Gundiza (49) is the Director of EarthLore. Method says this work is crucial for the resilience of African communities.
“Traditionally, such ceremonies ensured that important knowledge and wisdom was passed down from generation to generation and this preserved our culture and traditional beliefs. EarthLore has been working to revive cultural practices such as this because these ceremonies are part of our identity and culture,” says Method.
The traditional leader in Masasire village, Bikita district is Headman Mazvimba (46). Headman Mazvimba says preservation of traditional cultures is important in promoting food self-sufficiency in the community.
“The preservation and revival of traditional cultures will ensure that communities continue to pass knowledge and wisdom to the next generation. The revival of the Jaka in my community will ensure that communities are food secure and self-sufficient,” he says.