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The Zimbabwean renaissance. One of the most noticed changes is the turn back to indigenous knowledge, techniques and skills in order to meet the requirements of sustainable agriculture and natural resources management. Association of Zimbabwe Traditional Environmental Conservationists (AZTREC) is acting in Charumbira community in Masvingo and is establishing a relationship with the traditional and spiritual leaders, since they are the authentic custodians of the indigenous knowledge. From time immemorial they believe in tripartite relationship of the human, the natural and the spiritual world. The living depends heavily on the spiritual world for guidance. That’s the reason they build the Sacred Village where chiefs and spirit mediums, headmen and village heads meet to discuss or attend traditional ceremonies and rituals. Snuff is used as a medium for communication with the world of spirits. Drinking traditional beer means that the working day is over.
They understand bio diversity as the habitat of both spiritual world and the animal kingdom needed to reaffirm the tripartite relationship. They shifted to natural farming system. They encourage each other to utilize locally available organic soil and enrichment materials such cattle, goat and sheep manure, ant-hill soil, crop residues, compost and humus from hill tops and under trees. They practice intercroping to reduce the effects of drought. They train settlers on the resettled farms non-conventional crop production techniques which are integrated with organic farming system.
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