Clad in a blue and white hat, a symbol of her status as the spiritual leader in Domboshava, is a nonagenarian who has ‘seen it all’. Members of this rural farming community gather in Ambuya Nyamhunga’s rondavel kitchen to listen to her words of wisdom. She draws her profound knowledge from years of lived experiences, ‘tested in the rigorous laboratory of survival’ and more importantly from her unique connection to the spirit realm.
The deathlike silence fills the mud hut. A distinct clapping of hands in rhythmic unison brings the room to life. When this sound dies down, everyone sits respectfully and knows it’s time to listen, and learn. A strange air of anticipation fills the room.
Listen to no ordinary being, but to a woman who in partnership with other national spirit
mediums like Kaguvi, Nehanda and Chaminuka used her powers of divination to direct fighters in the war of liberation into heroic exploits.
By a simple blow of her snuff (a magical powder) many dodged bullets of enemy forces until the country attained its political independence from the shackles of British colonialism in 1980. Bringing an end to a century long era of social and economic disenfranchisement.
She speaks of her life with enthusiasm even as she battles a life threatening illness. Many know that she is braving her pain, to speak about issues that she is so passionate about. Instinctively many know that she won’t be long on this earth but are sure her spirit will carry her along.
Some take notes, as she speaks of people’s science, land, water and life in general. Below are some of the key lessons.
Environment
Ambuya ‘Feresiya’ Nyamhunga believed that man and his environment are intertwined. It is in this understanding that sustainable rural development and curbing rural poverty is firmly grounded. Thus, development solutions aren’t universal. They are closely linked to local people, their land, climate, culture and the cosmos. Hence, community led development initiatives are rooted in the integration of modern science to local knowledge inorder to provide sustainable solutions to local challenges.
Many international organizations, such as the Convention of Biodiversity, the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Populations, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the Working Group on Traditional Resource Rights, have called for the recognition of indigenous peoples rights to self-determination, the value of their knowledge, and the need for strategies to protect and preserve this knowledge.
By learning from what local communities already know and have, it becomes easier to
understand local conditions and context for activities designed to help these communities.
Conversely, local knowledge also plays a key role in preserving both the land and water
resources. The 1998/99 World Development Report recognises that knowledge and not
capital, is the key to sustainable social and economic development. This is in tandem with Ambuya ‘Feresiya’ Nyamhunga’s age-old teaching that human wisdom is an extension of the environment and that there is mutual complementarity between people and the natural world. While African indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) remain one of the most valuable resources owned by rural people, they have also been the least mobilized for sustainable development.
Climate
Zimbabwe’s climate is savanna, with two distinct seasons. Dry winters (May-September)
and wet summers (October-April). Over the years, the locals grew climate friendly short
season grain varieties that thrive in the savanna climate. Among them; rapoko, sorghum
and millet. Not only are these traditional grains compatible with the local climate but they are also nutrient-dense. Traditional communities in Zimbabwe consumed nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables and a variety of millets instead of corn. They also maintained a diversified diet and a sustainable food system. The Food and Nutrition Council of Zimbabwe now emphasizes that all food and nutrition interventions in the country should be based on Zimbabwe’s rich, nutrient-dense culinary heritage.
However, colonialism and globalization has seen a deviation from these age-old staple
crops. Corn and sugar now take precedence over local food choices and seed varieties.
This has also led to the advent of food shortages, hunger and malnutrition. Zimbabwe now faces malnutrition conditions such as wasting, stunting, obesity, and anemia. Over a quarter of Zimbabwean children are stunted, a condition that affects their physical and cognitive development.
It was Ambuya ‘Feresiya’ Nyamhunga’s desire to set up a cultural village where rural
women lead the integration of traditional methods of land preparation, seed preservation, creating seed banks, conservation agriculture, cultivating traditional grains and local seed varieties, teaching traditional recipes, and promoting local fruits and vegetables that are nutrient-dense, environmentally compatible with the savanna climate, locally available, and affordable.
A cultural village that would serve as an information and resource hub to create and sustain a nutritious and healthy food system. Even as she looks from yonder, she knows that setting up a cultural village will not only protect local communities from the vagaries of climate change but also promote better health and nutritional outcomes.
Water
Studies show that 3.4 billion people worldwide live in rural areas and 78 percent of their jobs are dependent on water. Access to water is not only a fundamental human right but an essential input to rural lives and livelihoods. Because of its centrality to health, livelihoods, ecosystems, production and all economic activity, traditional leaders like Ambuya ‘Feresiya’ Nyamhunga taught that water was a common property. Rural communities in Zimbabwe have a rich history of environmentally sustainable water management practices. Irrigation,wetlands preservation,rainwater harvesting, trench planting, ecosystem based water management, agroforestry, myths and taboos, are some of the local strategies.
Due to climate change and population growth there is increased pressure on traditional
water sources with some women in Nyakudya Domboshava Zimbabwe having to walk
several kilometers to access water for domestic use. This threatens both food security and household nutrition. Women and youths, who are the hardest hit because they are the ones that are responsible for the fetching and management of domestic water use in rural communities.
Domboshava’s greatest need is access to water, and Inhaka is actively looking for partners to help quench the thirst for development for the resilient and diligent women in this part of Zimbabwe.
Need for complementarity
Inhaka is driven by the desire to see Ambuya ‘Feresiya’ Nyamhunga’s vision come to fruition. A cultural village that empowers rural women in Domboshava with skills in good agricultural practices, integrates traditional grains into food systems and diets, creates seed banks, and promotes the production and consumption of climate-friendly and nutrient-dense millets and local fruits.
This community center will also serve as an information hub and resource center for locally available nutritious foods, traditional grain seed varieties, local fruits, good agricultural practices, local solutions prototyping, and cultural preservation.
However, people’s science has not been without its own challenges. While it effectively
connects man to his environment, its solutions have, at best, been rudimentary. Hence the need to complement ‘the science of the people’ tested by daily realities of life to the lab tested western science.
Ambuya ‘Feresiya’ Nyamhunga was elevated to Nyikadzimu on May 31st, 2023. In her final days, she expressed one heartfelt wish: “Ndokumbirawo Mvura” (“I ask for water”). Her humble request was for a borehole to be drilled at her homestead, ensuring access to water for herself and the entire community. During her last days, she struggled without water for basic needs like bathing and cooking, as the community borehole was too far from her homestead, and she couldn’t get assistance from family and neighbors. Currently, the community borehole has ceased to function, and Billy Ngoshi is providing water for the community from his homestead.
In recognition of her invaluable contribution to our liberation, Ambuya Nyamhunga was honored with heroine status by the Government and His Excellency President Mnangagwa. Fulfilling her wish would not only honor her memory but also bring lasting benefit to the community she loved and served.
Join us in building this village and partnering with us to create a sustainable future for our communities. Your support can make a significant difference in promoting health, nutrition, and climate resilience in Domboshava Zimbabwe.
Article written by Learnmore Nyoni mykwekwetv@gmail.com