Fields of Gold

I don’t normally do this but I was so impressed by the size of these fields and the amount of labor involved in maintaining them that I’m posting a picture. It’s not that I’m against pictures or anything but they always throw off the text by ruining the alignment and it also takes a lot of time to upload a picture.

This is one of my host Mom’s groundnut (nyemu in Tonga) fields (and this is my Mom!). She has multiple fields, larger than the one depicted, about a 30-45 minute walk from the house. She proudly gave me a tour of this field a few weeks ago and I can’t even describe how much respect I have for Zambians.

This field may not look huge. Coming from Indiana, where the fields stretch as far as the eye can see. But, when you begin to think about how the fields are prepared, planted and maintained, who wouldn’t be impressed and astonished? Preparation and the first weeding is done (in Southern) using oxen to plow and cultivate. This process typically takes a few weeks. After that, it’s all manpower. Everyday from now until April, farmers will  spend in their fields, hoeing row after row of weeds. They’ll also continue planting things like sweet potatoes until mid-March

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Now, take another look at the photo. Imagine having about 5 more fields this size or larger that you manage and maintain using only your hoe and the strength of your back and arms. It’s incredible.

I was also impressed by the diversity in my Mom’s field. Interspersed with the groundnuts are a few rows of sweet potatoes, sprinkled here and there are squash plants and okra.  My Mom has a right to be proud. She’s dedicated a lot of time and energy to her fields. The process of planting a field doesn’t begin and end merely with the planting of a few seeds. It is a process that takes an entire year and many, many steps. From harvesting to drying to storing seeds to preparing fields, planting and weeding it is something that can be seen in daily life throughout the year. I’m starting to realize that I can learn a lot from my community. Things like dedication and hard work, about building your life on the land. I thought I was placed here to teach people improved methods of agriculture. What I’ve experienced and learned is that instead, I am the one learning techniques that I hope to bring back to America and improve my home garden and fields.