Digging yams

last edited Dec. 8, 2022, 11:37 a.m. by Steve

2-2 Family & Clan 1-8 Gardening & Gathering 3-4 Interpersonal & Social Relationships

Participants

Date Team participants National participants
June 19, 2020 Steve Kavaluku and his family

Description

Kavaluku invited me to dig yams in his garden. We arrived there at about 10am, a few ladies were there already. We sat by the river (close by) and cut sticks for Digging yams. Going to the garden we cleared the grass, uncovered the yams, loosened the dirt with sticks and then dug them up with our hands. Men dug yams and ladies gathered them up, cooking a few on the fire for the workers. Lots of Kavaluku's family came to dig and recieve yams. We left a few yams in the ground with a stick to mark them. When the digging was complete Kavaluku seperated yams into three piles - small yams for seeds, large yams for eating and damaged yams for eating now. Male family members that had come to help recieved a large yam each.

Texts

Photobook - Abanel, digging yams
last edited Dec. 8, 2022, 11:37 a.m. by Steve

Questions

Question Asked by Answer Answered by
The harvest didn't seem very big, are people sometimes disappointed at a small crop? Steve June 23, 2020, 9:42 a.m.
Do people mind giving food away? Kavaluku didn't seem to have many yams to spare Steve June 23, 2020, 9:42 a.m.
If yams last for a few months what is the advantage of leaving some in the ground to eat later? Steve June 23, 2020, 9:42 a.m.