Traditionalists are calling on citizens to observe cultural farming practices, particularly during this period when a heatwave has been affecting parts of the country.
The extreme temperatures, persisting both day and night, are causing crops to wither, particularly for early-season farmers.
In many African cultures, traditional beliefs and customs significantly influence agricultural activities. One such custom prohibits ploughing or working the fields on Wednesdays, a practice rooted in spiritual and cultural traditions.
In a message circulated on social media, the traditionalists, ‘Amalinda,’ urged people to refrain from working on their farms on Wednesdays.
“We are pleading with people to not go to the farms on Wednesday, look at the sky, it’s becoming dry. Amalinda is requesting that you avoid going to the fields on Wednesday,” said the traditionalists.
Amalinda also advised people to bury the bones of their livestock which died from the drought.
“Gather the bones, put them in one place and bury them. Most livestock died this year, so you should bury those bones so that they are not visible,” the group advised.
“As for trees that have been hit by the lightning, please gather them as well and don’t burn them yet.”
Amalinda also appealed for the cessation of drum-beating.
“Do not beat drums now, beating drums will start from March up until September. We are pleading with people, we know there are different challenges that make people beat drums but please don’t beat drums now,” said Amalinda.
“We are pleading with people to follow the cultural ways so that everything goes well.”
However, some local residents have expressed concerns about the impact on open-air churches, as some of these churches use and beat drums in their services.
