adminSharon Kavhu Features Correspondent
Indigenous trees have a significant role in Zimbabwe’s tradition and heritage.
Some of the momentous traditional uses of the trees have already been passed on to the current generation while others have so long been forgotten.
During the pre-colonial era, weather forecast was determined by woody plants.
It is said our fore fathers used to predict rainy seasons using a tree called ‘‘Mupanda-panda’’ or ‘‘musikavakadzi’’ (the rain tree).
According to the Department of Researches and Specialist Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, the tree is sometimes referred to as ‘‘Calender tree’’.
Principle Research Officer from National Botanic gardens, Mr Antony Mapaura said, “The tree was used as a calendar to detect the approaching of the rain season.
“When the rain season was close, frog hopers gather on the tree eating the leaves and sucking all the moisture with the woody plant.
“Milky substance on the tree leaves starts falling down like rainfall under the same tree,” he said.
He said this was a sign to our fore-fathers that the rain was about to fall.
These signs will influence people to start ploughing their fields as they wait for the rains to fall.
Carrying the concept from Zimbabwean tradition, some women are using Mupanda-panda to influence the sex of their new born babies.
Some women have a biological make-up that causes them to give birth to babies of the same sex and Mupanda-Panda would be their solution if they want to change.
The roots and the hard skin of the tree were believed to have the ability of changing the biological make-up of such women.
Therefore, these women would boil the bark and roots to only drink the juice when it’s warm.
It has been a culture for people to move from one place to another in search of fertile and productive land long ago.
The culture was part of the crop and land rotation to increase productivity and for this culture, the Kirkia or Mubvumira tree was essential.
Mubvumira tree was used to determine if the land was closer to a water table or rich and fertile for people to settle.
Mr Mapaura said these people would use a tree cutting from Mubvumira.
“Our fore-fathers used to plant ‘Mubvumira tree’ before settling and if it grows, they believed it was a sign from their ancestors allowing them to settle,” said Mr Mapaura.
“However, if the tree cutting doesn’t develop roots, it would be a sign of disprovable from the ancestors.”
However, the scientific explanation of this tree is that it can only survive when there is a water supply closer.
Traditionally cancers (gokomara) were treated using a sausage tree or ‘Mumvee’. The fruits of the tree which are shaped like a sausage were smashed and used as an application that treated external cancers.
In some cases where the cancers would be internal like most women who developed cervical cancers, the infected woman would wash her private parts with warm water and the fruits.
Some would heat it up first and smash it to take it while it’s in a warm semi-liquid shape.
The treatment was seasonal as Mumvee tree normally starts developing flowers for its fruits in May and June.
Mr Mapaura said presently some people regularly visit the gardens to get the fruits to treat cancers such as skin cancers.
Zimbabwe is one of the few African countries that have the Paper Bark tree or ‘‘Muranga’’.
The tree which is commonly found in Eastern Highlands part of the country was used to treat several diseases and infections. ‘‘Muranga’’ is still being used by several native people for its multiple tasks.
Every part of the tree has a special healing ability that they are only a few trees of the nature left in the country.
The Research officer said another tree which was used for healing purpose is the Bushman Torch tree.
He said that the tree contains quinine, a produced that is presently used develop malaria treatment.
“However, back in the pre-colonial era, the quinine was only taken by our fore-fathers to treat malaria,” said Mr Mapaura.
He added: “It is unfortunate that several people died from the plant because there was no standard dosage back then.
“The same fruit was used as a lighting object because once they are lighted; they conserve the light for a reasonable time just like the candles being used today.”
He said some of the trees were used for designing clothes.
One such tree is ‘‘Mu Nyii’’ or Bird-plum (Brown ivory). This tree produces small sweet fruits that are edible.
In most cases where this tree is seen, they will be bark less as people have carried the idea of using the barks to design clothes.
Munyii has always been used for inimitable art and designing.
Online Reporter