Conjuring back the ecosystem for Posterity

Abstract

Conjuring the Ecosystem for Posterity” plunges the audience into the deep past of ogres, hares/rabbits, hyenas, tortoises, lizards, toads, hawks and crows, ants, bees, cattle and herds boys, devastating drought as well as girls and their suitors, men and their wives. The article examines three songs. One song tells of the need to prepare for drought by planting drought-resistant cowpeas; it also extols the evergreen esirietso, which has always been the saviour of households during the dry season. The children’s play song in the article exemplifies the role of indigenous woods. The wood in the article is omusangula, a wood whose tiny, sweet-sour fruits called obusangula provide food for children and herds boys during the dry season, which is the time when they ripen. Omusangula has flexible twigs which, when twisted and intertwined, serve as natural fence material. This plant also provides very good firewood when pruned. The two narratives highlight the concern for environment that the people of old expressed. One of the stories is a tribute to Lake Victoria, the largest body of water which is said to have been home to the rain-making monster in the region. The article also analyses an animal story in which the characters decide to do the right thing: demolish their huge houses thereby denying themselves comfort in order to achieve the greater good—plant trees and conserve the environment for their survival now and for posterity.