At Beza Primary School, 10 kilometres just outside Masvingo, Zimbabwe’s fifth largest city by population, a unique goat-rearing initiative is demonstrating the power of cultural heritage in education. Supported by UNESCO's "Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage through Basic Education" program in Zimbabwe and Namibia, students are learning practical skills while preserving traditional knowledge. This project, which currently includes a herd of 29 goats, goes beyond subsistence and commerce, connecting learners to the cultural and practical importance of livestock in Zimbabwean society.
Mrs. Enia Chikohora, a teacher at Beza Primary School, emphasizes the integral role of goats in their community's traditions.
Consider the Masungiro, or kusungira, ceremony. When a woman, pregnant or newly married, returns to her parents' home, it's a significant event. As part of this ritual, two goats are presented to her family. A male goat is used for the ceremonial meal, while a female goat is given for future breeding. This act not only shows respect but also represents the ongoing flow of life and tradition."
Beza Primary School teacher, Robson Matapa demonstrates to learners how to dose goats.
Beyond their ceremonial value, goats have historically been a versatile resource in Zimbabwean households. Their hides are used to craft traditional clothing and other items, while their meat and milk provide essential nutrition. The goat project at Beza Primary School integrates these aspects into the curriculum, fostering holistic learning.
Faith Maribha, a student at Beza Primary School says the project has made learning easier.
This project has allowed us to engage with our culture in meaningful ways. In Shona lessons, we've delved into language, learning terms like 'mbudzana' (kid goat) and understanding the significance of cultural practices like 'kusungira' and 'kuripa'. We've also experienced the artistry of traditional clothing creation in Visual and Performing Arts, where we learned about the use of goatskins.
Students at Beza shared how the project has transformed their mathematics classes, making them both exciting and easy to grasp. They particularly enjoyed applying math skills to real-world and everyday life scenarios, like counting their herds and calculating veterinary doses. Similarly, their agriculture lessons have been significantly enhanced, with in-depth explorations of animal husbandry, including the use of traditional herbal remedies for goat injuries.
Sikato Primary School Learners attend to the road runner chickens that are supported by UNESCO under the ICH project.
Sikato Primary School, also a beneficiary school under the same UNESCO project, is fostering another unique initiative centred on traditional chicken rearing. The school focuses on the resilient "road runner" chickens, a breed deeply embedded in local culture and known for its self-sufficiency.
Students are learning traditional rearing methods, blending ancestral wisdom with practical skills. They utilize natural remedies like aloe vera for chicken health and plant snake-repellent herbs to protect their fowl runs, showcasing a powerful combination of cultural knowledge and problem-solving. Beyond their practical value, these chickens also hold significant ceremonial importance within the local communities in Masvingo province.
Sikato Primary School Roadrunner chickens foraging for food.
In Zimbabwean culture, offering chicken to a guest is a profound expression of respect and hospitality. Beyond its culinary significance, chicken feathers are also integral to traditional attire, crafted into elaborate headbands, highlighting their multifaceted value.
UNESCO's project goes beyond simple preservation, weaving cultural heritage into the fabric of daily education. Through hands-on learning, like traditional goat hide curing and chicken feather ornament crafting, students develop a powerful sense of identity and cultural pride.
This project’s approach seamlessly weaves learners into their cultural heritage while empowering them with practical, contemporary skills. It envisions a future where cultural heritage and modern education not only coexist but enrich each other.
These projects serve as tangible demonstrations of how intangible cultural heritage can be effectively integrated into educational frameworks. They highlight the crucial role of equipping young generations with the knowledge and skills necessary to both cherish their heritage and navigate the complexities of the future.
