The first field day of our project is more carnival than serious training. The bore-hole which makes all our activities possible ( Mushroom culture, Beehive fence and Permaculture project) was funded by a group of women from South Africa. Today they are coming to visit and officially “open” the-bore hole (which has been in action for a while already). Remy, who set this all up, wants a good show, and so there is to be an artistic program, traditional lunch and plenty of local dignitaries. Charles is all over the place making sure of supplies for the lunch and being diplomatic while getting together a group to join me in our first permaculture practical so the ladies can see work in progress when they arrive.  Nyau dancers in outlandish costumes mill around in the chaos, but soon we get to work marking out and digging our first swale to divert and catch the water from one of those awful erosion gullies I was so worried about.

Finding the contour for a swale

Nyau dancer joins in digging the swale

We are really getting in to it (I have already shown how to construct an A-frame contour measuring device and we are now seriously discussing water-flows and the best way to divert the gully) when two large white and orange SUV arrive – the Ladies are here! All tools are dropped and the party begins.

The women’s expedition arrives

I guess I hadn’t paid much attention when Remy was telling me about her women’s group; I had formed an image in my mind of some elderly rich ladies – some sort of bridge club or something – donating money to the poor natives. Boy, did I get it wrong! This is no stuffy bridge club! The sheer energy,  the aliveness that hits us when they arrive is (sorry for the cliché) – awesome. These  amazing women are on a 100 day journey through 10 countries, driving to remote communities and projects to raise awareness, funds and connect with people all across south and eastern Africa. (See http://www.elephantignite.co.za/   ).

We gather around the makeshift shade and chairs by the mushroom fruiting house; prayers and speeches are held, followed by songs, dances,  a little play acting by the village women  (roars of laughter at a very good characterization of Charles on his motorbike) and a beautiful poem which draws tears from the ladies.

All of this is a prelude to the star attraction: the Gulu Wamkulu dance of the mysterious Nyau dancers. This is a wild and ancient tradition and the ladies give the dancers a run for their money. Here is a short ( rather scrappy) clip of some of the proceedings.

M’ndaka party from David Yekutiel on Vimeo.

During lunch we tell the ladies about the project; Permaculture is new to them, but they get it straight away and are very keen about it. After, they visit the Bee-hive fence, check out the Mushroom facilities and we explain some of the permaculture design we are planning. Then it’s time for the bore-hole ceremony and the whirl-wind visit comes to an end.

The expedition moves on

It has been a fantastic day, everyone has had fun, been inspired; It’s a great start and in the next days we will use this momentum to make great progress on our project – more about that later.

After a brief wrap-up and making arrangements for the next day, Charles and I head back to Kasungu town in the little Nissan truck. After a long silence we look at each other, sigh, and Charles says it: “those women…..”

We are both quite blown away. It’s not just that they are lovely women. I have felt a power emanating from them that so far in all my contact with conservation people and organisations I have missed completely. It is completely different from the grim and pessimistic attitudes so prevalent in the scientific and conservation world. This is female energy; it is positive and optimistic, the voice of Mother Earth – the power of love.  Maybe there is a chance for our poor old planet after all.