Fruit of the gods holds key to rural economic empowerment

Last updated on 7 March 2023

IN another time, long before the influence of colonial cultural practices African communities held elaborate ceremonies to give thanks to the gods for a good harvest.

Until such a ceremony was sanctioned by the elders working with royals and the wise ones with the gift of explaining life’s secrets through the bones, was held, people were forbidden from indulging in the crops lest they invite the wrath of the gods.

The usually serene surroundings of the Muti wa Vatsonga Open Air Museum, some 60km east of the tropical town of Tzaneen came alive with the incessant beating of drums, ululation and singing as a huge crowd gathered to celebrate the first harvest of the marula fruit.

It was perhaps a fitting thanks to the gods that the event was held at this historic museum which is home to the iron age miner ancestors of the VaTsonga people.

On the trail of Limpopo’s iron smelters

It is situated within the Hans Merensky Nature Reserve was established in 1975. This was thanks to the discovery of stone age artefacts by rangers on patrol in the reserve, which was then the playground of whites only.

According to historians, the Bantu people who migrated down south from East Africa produced steel as early as 500 BC. This type of technology, according to South African History Online, only reached Europe in the 1700s AD.

They also mined and processed salt, pure, organic non-iodised salt which came straight from mother earth and was washed in clean water from natural springs. Muti wa VaTsonga is home to the remnants of some of the iron ore mines and smelters from that era.

The fall of the autumn marks the beginning of the marula season. The fruit grows in abundance in the northern provinces of the country. During this period the fruit ripens and drops from the abundant gigantic trees, turning the ground into a colourful mix of bright green and yellow – an offering from the gods akin to the biblical manna from heaven.

https://mukurukurumedia.co.za/2022/03/23/villagers-hope-to-cash-in-on-marula-festival/

The fruit is collected in bulk by rural folk who brew a potent organic beer that’s enjoyed at home or sold in public areas. Usually the vendors package the brew in 2litre cool drink containers and rest under the shade of the same magical tree to sell at amounts ranging up to R20 a package.

The brew offers unemployed people based in economically deprived rural areas to cash in by selling it to motorists and shoppers. In 2006 the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism [Ledet] launched the Marula Festival to capitalise on the abundance of the fruit.

The Kuluma Vukanyi ceremony is held annually with the aim of promoting knowledge and awareness about the tradition associated with the “food of kings and ancestors,” known also as the “golden fruit of Africa.”

But renowned healer and cultural activist Professor Sylvester Mkwambani Hlati has pleaded with the authorities to ensure that the ceremony is held much earlier in the year to ensure that people do not indulge before an offering is made to the gods.

https://mukurukurumedia.co.za/2020/02/27/give-us-this-day-marula-our-gift-from-the-gods/

Professor Hlati also criticised the practice by some brewers who add an assortment of non-organic ingredients with the aim of giving the brew the kick of an ostrich.

Limpopo Limpopo MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture Nakedi Kekana told the gathered multitudes that they want to “ensure that we empower rural women by procuring the marula beer through their
cooperatives for brewing and selling.”

“We remain proud to partner with House of Traditional Leaders and healers in ensuring that we revive the traditional ways of brewing and drinking marula beverage (vukanyi/morula) and to sustain the indigenous knowledge systems involved that is diminishing,”

The United Nations Education and Scientific Council (Unesco) which is the UN’s custodian of culture and heritage says “heritage constitutes a source of identity and cohesion for communities disrupted by bewildering change and economic instability. Creativity contributes to building open, inclusive and pluralistic societies. Both heritage and creativity lay the foundations for vibrant, innovative and prosperous knowledge societies.”

Kekana noted that “the preservation of the very tradition and heritage, we will be attracting tourists who have interest in cultural tourism. It is important because movements of persons for essentially cultural motivations such as study tours, performing arts and cultural tours, visiting sites and monuments, traveling to study nature, folklore or art, and pilgrimages will one way or another, add value to our provincial economy.
“It is an enterprise development programme that which we need to support holistically. It is as such that we need to ensure that we encourage our communities to conserve the marula tree and exploit all business opportunities that could change livelihoods,” she said.

The drumming, singing and dancing went on until late evening as the last rays of the warm autumn day disappeared behind the towering mountains in the distant west. Like the throngs who enjoyed the fresh brew and the traditional cuisine offered on the day, the gods, perhaps, also smiled down on this gathering that seeks to preserve this important ages old tradition.

The marula celebration season culminates in a weekend long music and cultural festival set for April. – news@mukurukuru.co.za