Untitled (or, Tumbling Down the Rabbit Hole of Culture and Biodiversity).

 A few days ago, I joined a group of pretty cool people to learn more about the work National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) does when it comes to protecting and preserving

Uganda’s biodiversity. I was super excited because, ROAD TRIP! Also, I knew I was guaranteed a fun time with this crew.


                       <l-r Telma, Laura, Lilian, Uncle Mo, The Mith, Me, Kwizera and Edward>**


We were off to visit the Kalagala-Itanda Offset (no relation to the rapper), which was recently declared a Special Conservation Area. This means that it shall be protected and conserved as

a natural habitat and water catchment for the Nile system to provide environmental, ecological, social, spiritual, cultural and economic values. 



Kalagala-Itanda Offset*                                       


Of all the values mentioned, the environmental, ecological, economic and even social values were all pretty obvious to me. But I had never given the spiritual and cultural values much thought, until this trip.

Now I’m low-key obsessed. First come and I tell you.


"Come forth and I tell you things."**



When we finally arrived at Kalagala Falls, we met NEMA Executive Director Dr Tom Okurut, who generously took us on a brief tour, dropping pearls of wisdom and

deep knowledge the whole time. One of my favourites of all the things he said is that humans have to learn how to live in harmony with nature, not the other way round. “Remember, humans came here last.” 


We were in class, for real.**


Before I could make it to the rocks where everyone was taking pictures, my eyes were drawn to a tree trunk, draped in what looked like a white sheet. At the foot of the tree was a gourd, a clay pot

with what looked like solidified coconut oil and a bowl with coffee beans and shells. 


I just had so many questions...

When we crossed to another part of the falls, we came across a couple of guys who were guarding a fire. One of them explained that the fire has to be maintained 24/7. People come to the fire,

make their requests to the ancestors, then leave coins/coffee beans as offerings. I couldn’t get a picture, but here’s one of Kwizera in a canoe.


Row, row, row your boat...


I’m just so fascinated with the link between spirituality and protecting the environment.


The trees and water are revered. These guys protect the trees and the water. They understand the benefits of looking after the environment in which they live. Compare that with our towns and cities

where trees are constantly cut down and rubbish disposed of carelessly. We completely ignore the benefits of doing the right thing.


It's that simple. But do we listen?


This trip really got me thinking about how much of our cultures are tied to the environment, to nature. From dances mimicking animals, to superstitions (owls, anyone?), to our totems. What’s your totem,

by the way? Do you know?


I’ve fallen down a fascinating rabbit hole and I’m looking forward to finding out more, not only about how our culture is so closely tied to nature but also the role I can play to #BePartofTheSolution and protect

Uganda’s biodiversity. Join me. And enjoy this video of us in the canoe. 


Good vibes just.




#BiodiversityUG #BePartOfTheSolution #Uganda #CulturalTourism #Kalagala #MyUganda

📸     *@HiRolla256

          ** @LNFUndisputed 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

RIP Rosemary

I never met Rosemary Nankabirwa. But I feel so sad at her passing. I feel sad that she succumbed to a disease we are still trying to beat. I feel sad that whoever took the time to announce her death on Twitter couldn't take the time to spell check. I'll put it down to grief. I feel sad that people tried to gain cheap popularity off of her illness. I hope she knew how many people turned out, in their own small way, to help. I hope she knew she was respected and admired. I hope God hears our prayers for her and for her family. I hope. When you lose someone, the world falls out from under your feet. I hope her family is given the time and space they need to grieve and remember her, away from the media, away from those who want to use this to their own advantage. I hope we all learn more about this terrible disease. I hope our government does more to make treatment available for all, regardless of social status. I hope. Rest, Rosemary. You fought your fight.
Read more

Untitled (or, my experience in a toxic work environment.)

I’ve been feeling guilty for the longest time that I haven’t posted on my blog for AGES: I even started questioning whether I could legitimately call it a blog anymore, considering how long it had been since I was inspired to write anything worth sharing. But I woke up yesterday and came across an article detailing a toxic work environment and when I tell you I was TRIGGERED. I know that word is used so often these days, but some of the instances described in that article catapulted me back to a situation I found myself in, that I haven’t felt able to speak about publicly. Until now. I consider myself extremely blessed to have worked in different positions where I was able to pursue my passions and dedicate my talents, all the while working with incredible people and learning from the best in the business. I was transferred from a job I loved, and thought I was performing well at (if my performance reviews were anything to go by, anyway). I didn’t understand why I was being mov
Read more

Stay Out of My Womb, Stay Out of My Business.

Something happened on air this morning that totally threw me off. We were discussing whether or not a parent should compensate a babysitter, or even a friend, if their child breaks something of theirs.  Like a phone, or laptop.  My stance is, if my child broke something belonging to someone I had asked to look after them, I would feel compelled to refund them or at least contribute towards the cost of getting a replacement. Big mistake, so it would seem. A female listener called the show.  Sternly, she asked me if I have any children, to which of course I answered in the negative.  She went on to say that the only reason I had that opinion is the fact that I do not have a child, as no mother would ask another mother to pay for something broken by a child.  (Please note, she ignored the fact that I said I would feel compelled to refund if my child had broken something belonging to someone else.  I didn’t say that I would demand money from someone if their child broke so
Read more