Inkcubeko nendalo

Dr. Peter Giovannini defines bio-cultural diversity as a term that describes the link between the cultural and biological diversity on the planet.

Today we spent the day at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa.  We attended a lecture given by Dr. Michelle Cocks on Bio-cultural diversity. Dr. Cocks and her husband Dr. Tony Dold have conducted research and studies on bio-cultural diversity in and around Grahamstown for the past decade. They have written a book Voices in the Forest which explores the link between people and nature in Xhosaland. From their studies, along with Mr. Mluleki NKosi, they have developed a curriculum for high school students.

The program Inkcubeko nendalo ( culture and nature) is based on the premise that students need to take ownership of conserving natural resources to prevent future lose of culture and biodiversity. Students learn that if natural resources are not protected and used wisely the ultimate cost is not only the lose of resources but also of indigenous knowledge systems and ultimately South Africa's heritage (Cock and Dold).

After the lecture we were able to visit Nombulelo Secondary School and sit in on a tenth grade class. Mr. NKosi was giving a lesson that is part of the Inkcubeko nendalo program. The program focused on the 9 biomes of South Africa, six of which are accessible from Grahamstown. We then toured the medicinal garden planted on the school grounds. The school gardens gave students the opportunity to see and learn how to identify indigenous medicinal plants. I thought it very interesting when I learned that 80% of the population used medicinal herbs.
Our final stop was a short hike into the forest. The native Xhosa people believe the ancestors are found in nature and in order to connect with them you must go into the forest and sit quietly and listen. We were accompanied by 12 students who were led by Mr. NKosi in an exercise to help them connect with nature. He had them sit quietly, close their eyes and use all of their senses to experience the nature around them.
I had a previous understanding of how people depend on nature for their basic needs and how proper management of our natural resources are necessary for our future survival. The trip to Grahamstown led me to the understanding of how not only do our basic needs depend on nature but our cultural diversity is interweaved with the diverse nature found on our planet.

Quote of the day: Cultural heritage and cultural identity are reliant on continual access to plants, animals, places, and spaces that in there entirety make up indalo (nature and biodiversity). - Michelle Cocks and Tony Dold