HomeOld_PostsThe BaTonga and their co-existence with the environment

The BaTonga and their co-existence with the environment

Published on

THE country is facing numerous environmental problems stemming from the over exploitation of natural resources as demand for forestry and other natural resources increases.
The wanton killing of animals through poisoning and trapping has also threatened to decimate wildlife in some parts of the country.
The growing demand for herbal medicines has also seen pressure on forests increasing while the harvesting of wild fruits without due care has put man and beast on a collision course, increasing the incidences of human and wildlife conflicts where several human lives have been lost.
However, increasingly aware of the threats facing the environment, the BaTonga have sought ways to ensure they co-exist with the environment without causing harm.
According to the BaTonga elders, since they depend on the forest and river for their sustenance, they have to ensure everything they do, including fruit harvesting, fishing or hunting, is done in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way.
The harvesting of fruits is supervised by forest guards who ensure there is equitable sharing of fruits among the villagers.
Villagers are asked to take turns to harvest certain indigenous fruits each fruiting season.
Under normal circumstances, according to the BaTonga elders, a certain portion of the fruits or trees is reserved for wild animals and birds. It is believed harvesting all the fruit from the trees deprives wild animals and birds, which would turn against villagers by raiding their fields or harming them.
Legend has it that certain animal species stopped breeding in protest over being deprived of their share of the fruit.
This resulted in the number of wild animals dwindling, causing a shortage of meat for the villagers.
During hunting, only certain animal and bird species are killed. Hunting guards elected by village heads determine which animals are to be killed at any given time.
For instance, animals hunted have to be old or wounded; no females are killed as they are responsible for continuation of the species.
According to the BaTonga, animals such as problem elephants were killed and the meat shared communally among the villagers.
Subsistence hunting by individual hunters is allowed on small game such as spring hares and warthogs that rapidly procreate.
Birds of prey such as hawks and other raptor species are not hunted as they are believed to be sacred and are believed to warn of impending danger.
Snakes, frogs and other reptiles are eaten on special occasions or their body parts used for muti and other purposes such as luck charms and protection against witches.
While the BaTonga keep domestic animals, mainly goats and sheep, these are slaughtered in a sustainable manner that does not deplete their populations. Goat meat is usually dried into strips stored in granaries and eaten whenever the family needs protein supplements.
Fishing is regarded as a pastime and this has endeared them to many outsiders as hunter gatherers of the mighty Zambezi River. They have mastered the skill of spearing, netting and hooking fish out of the water.
According to the elders, this is done with due caution as fishermen are not allowed to fish, net or hook fish in just any part of the river, there are special places where the fishermen do their job, especially in areas where the fish is not spawning.
Certain types of fish are thrown back into the river depending on their size or species.
This is done so that the schools of fish are given time to multiply so that when they are netted in bulk, they are not depleted; one notable example is kapenta fishing which is mainly carried out on the throwbacks of the Kariba Dam in Binga.
Fishermen have designated places where they go with their trawlers to fish during the night, while they avoid other areas so that the fish is given time to spawn, especially during winter months.
The fish eagle is believed to guide the fishermen where they can get bigger catches; hence the bird is revered by most fishermen.
Hunters are also not allowed to kill bees when they are fetching honey from the hives. Certain trees and leaves are used to smoke out the bees without harming them, again according to elders, not all the honey should be taken out of the hives.
Some is left for the bees and other animals that also survive on honey like badgers and bees.
Although little is known about the BaTonga art, they have produced wonderful wood carvings, some that are displayed in the world’s most renowned galleries.
And to preserve the forests, the BaTonga use ‘dead’ wood to make the carvings, some of it is from logs of mahogany and teak.
Today most of the carvings are done from well-managed woods that are cut under the supervision of traditional chiefs and headmen. Only very old trees are cut down to make wooden carvings that range from animals, wooden bowls and plates as well as stools and chairs.
The baobab is the most common mystic tree in the Zambezi Valley whose many uses have sustained the BaTonga population over the years.
The baobab is a source of food, medicine and shelter for the BaTonga, therefore its preservation has been prioritised.
According to elders, one way they conserve the tree is through monitoring and adhering to strict rules on debarking the tree.
The boabab bark is used to make sleeping mats, blankets, hats as well as clothing and those who use the bark are required to debark only one side of the tree. This allows regeneration of the stripped bark and ensures the tree does not die.
The BaTonga people, traditionally living along the Zambezi Escarpment, have intimate knowledge of over 600 local medicinal plants with over 100 medicinal uses to treat wounds, bites, coughs and diarrhea, to name a few.
They also use these herbal remedies as bio-pesticides in their gardens and fields and they have recorded low crop losses to pests.
If traditional knowledge systems such as those used by the BaTonga are harnessed and used, the environment will be safe.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest articles

Kariba Municipality commits to President’s service delivery blueprint

By Kundai Marunya IT is rare to find opposition-controlled urban councils throwing their weight on...

The resurgence of Theileriosis in 2024 

THE issues of global changes, climate change and tick-borne diseases cannot be ignored, given...

Britain haunted by its hostile policy on Zimbabwe

TWO critical lessons drawn from the recent debate on Zimbabwe in the British House...

The contentious issue of race

 By Nthungo YaAfrika AS much as Africans would want to have closure to many of...

More like this

Kariba Municipality commits to President’s service delivery blueprint

By Kundai Marunya IT is rare to find opposition-controlled urban councils throwing their weight on...

The resurgence of Theileriosis in 2024 

THE issues of global changes, climate change and tick-borne diseases cannot be ignored, given...

Britain haunted by its hostile policy on Zimbabwe

TWO critical lessons drawn from the recent debate on Zimbabwe in the British House...

Discover more from Celebrating Being Zimbabwean

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading