26th December - Down at the farm on boxing day
on A Zambian Experience (Zambia), 28/Dec/2009 09:32, 34 days ago
It’s boxing day today, but in Zambia the day is not marked as a special occasion and when a Zambian asked me what the definition of boxing day in Britain is, I have to admit I really stumbled for an answer. If anyone has a definition of boxing day, then please drop me a comment!I celebrated boxing day by spreading fertiliser on a 5 acre plot of land at 9am in the blazing hot African sun.I now see how much hard work goes into farming, especially in Chipata where there are no tractors or sprinklers or even any farm staff to help. Mrs Daka showed us how to apply fertiliser and how to build ridges so that the water doesn’t wash away the top soil. She explained how groundnuts don’t need fertiliser, but how Maize does. It was a beautiful plot of land that stretched for miles – all the cultivation is done by strong hands and a strong will. I asked her how often she visits the farm. “Everyday”, she replied. Gosh, I was shattered when I got home and I’m still recovering from the raking, the bending down and the cycling. I couldn’t imagine doing that work everyday. It was great to help out and I think the Dakas really appreciated our small efforts. We were rewarded by a cup of tea prepared on a fire and then Mrs Daka prepared a delicious Zambian meal of Nshima (Maize dumpling), Chewawa (pumpkin leaves in a tomato and onion stew) and chicken. Yum! I didn’t realise what an appetite I had.