At first glance the scale of the poverty, disease and environmental issues affecting Africa can seem overwhelming. Yet, often the solutions aren’t that complicated. For instance, by rediscovering traditional methods of producing food, people have begun to grow local varieties in a more sustainable way. It’s good for the environment, and it provides abundant nutritious food - that’s the key to the success of the worldwide Slow Food movement.
Network for Africa works with Slow Food in northern Uganda, where 22 years of war disrupted a once proud and prosperous agricultural community. Farmers were forced to abandon their fields for decades, living in squalid refugee camps. Gradually, the traditional knowledge passed down to each generation through practical experience was lost.
In Patongo, a rural community in northern Uganda, we will be celebrating Terra Madre Day on December 10th, along with hundreds of other Slow Food groups across the globe.
Terra Madre Day is an opportunity to involve the community in learning about the importance of safeguarding food biodiversity, at the same time as bringing taste education to adults and children, and connecting local producers with consumers.
Around the world Terra Madre Day will feature celebratory picnics, dinners, film screenings and concerts. The events aim to raise the profile of healthy and fairly-produced food, with excursions to visit Terra Madre producers, food tastings, campaigns and petitions on related issues and gatherings of local producers, cooks, youth and others.
PATONGO’S TERRA MADRE DAY
''Carama Wit Cam Acoli' ('Celebration of a variety of Acoli dishes')
Our partners in Patongo will be celebrating Terra Madre day by inviting elders, cultural and traditional leaders and local people to a community food party. The event is a chance to show people the importance of local, traditional crops, rediscovering valuable agricultural practices.
A group of women volunteers, some from our projects (the Ribbe Aye Teko women’s group and the Patongo Counselling Community Outreach Centre), will use traditional recipes using local produce for the whole community to taste.
Girls, boys and men will be encouraged to watch and learn how to cook the Slow Food way. They will also learn about the benefits to the environment and to their personal well-being from growing local seeds and crop varieties, eating local food and using traditional recipes and methods. Awards will be given to the women who produce the most delicious dishes.
The day’s events also include introducing the community to five demonstration gardens supported by Network for Africa. People will be encouraged to learn about the crops and techniques used, thereby encouraging local pride and interest in their heritage of sustainable and traditional agriculture.
Watch this space for updates and photos of the day of celebrations!