#indigenous farming techniques

[farmerstrend]

Building Community Resilience Through Indigenous Seed Banks in Western Kenya

Discover how indigenous seed banks in Kenya, like Ebuchirinya Seed Bank, empower farmers, preserve biodiversity, and offer a sustainable alternative to costly hybrid seeds. Learn how Kenya’s community seed banks and the Seed Savers Network support smallholder farmers in preserving indigenous seeds, promoting food security, and fostering resilience against climate change. Explore the journey of…

[alicedrawslesmis]

(sorry this is from a week ago but) Wait, what's going on right now that's complicated with Amazonian farmers' land rights?

Not farmers, indigenous people

See, recently they put a new law through congress that severely reduces indigenous land to the borders established during the late dictatorship, or immediately post-dictatorship, in 1988. An absolute joke of a border that was dreamed up by some military assholes. People in america may recognize this type of society from the times of westward expansion and think this is a thing of the past because for you guys it is. But here it is a reality. Murder is rampant. The reach of the law is incredibly limited. Government is just too weak and landowners basically run things. THAT'S WHY it's so important to donate directly to the native peoples instead of random NGOs because native people are fucking there and the more power they hold in the land the safer the land will be from agroindustrial expansion.

Well the law was vetoed by the the president and the Supremo Tribunal Federal, aka supreme federal court, labeled it as unconstitutional. Which it is, because our 1988 constitution describes native american land rights in some of its first articles. We thought this would be it for the law

But then the senate (that already overrepresents landowners in rural states) just went along and approved it anyway. I had no idea they could approve something unconstitutional. The progressives and particularly the socialists are fighting this in court. But it happens that for now the legal border is the severely reduced version.

Doesn't mean they'll just give up, because as it happens we don't have any stand your ground laws so even if you own a piece of land, you cannot legally speaking just shoot everyone there. Or attack or threaten them in any way. They'll just have long legal battles individually for the rights to occupy land based on use. Also the Xingu national park, the largest preserved land of the Amazon described as 'larger than Belgium', is being encroached by huge farms that are poisoning their water supply. The border is Visible. I'll try to find video of it but essentially you have a forest and a desert separated by a strict line.

Just last week in the south of Bahia (not the Amazon, let me explain more about the Amazon situation in a bit) Hãhãhãe leadership Nega Muniz Pataxó was shot and killed by an armed militia group that invaded and occupied the Caramuru territory.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SOMOS PATAXÓ HÃHÃHÃE (@somoshahahai)

The situation in the Amazon, specifically the yanomami territory in Roraima our northernmost state, aka deep forest, is more dire than average given difficulty of access, sheer size, and government abandonment. It's a place that depends on government aid for medicine. It's land that is being systematically invaded by gold miners, pandemic, toxins from nearby farmlands, wood extraction etc. (wood extration is rampant everywhere tho). Early 2023 saw a massive federal government operation by now president Lula to empty the mines and try to look for where funding comes from. Yanomami land is still being invaded to this day, the struggle is ongoing.

The yanomamis need support right now more than any other. Last year saw a massive heat wave that (well, one, caused a girl named Ana Clara Machado to die during the Taylor Swift concert. This is unrelated but I feel like not enough foreign media covered this, Taylor even lied about it as well.) dried up a lot of rivers, killed a LOT of fresh water animals including an unprecedented amount of pink dolphins. Access that was already hard became damn near impossible without boats. I cannot overstate how many pink dolphins were found dead.

Another technique that landowners use to clear space for farms is to just set things on fire and then occupy the empty land, which they legally can do to land that was naturally burned in a forest fire. It happened that Pantanal, another national park of swampland, was massively devastated by fires last year too

this article is from 2020, the year that the worst fire happened, but in 2023 there was another one. It's been happening yearly now due to a) deliberate action and b) climate change aggravation.

And this is not nearly all. Just off the top of my head. If you speak portuguese I recommend following the APIB or the COIAB on instagram to keep up with the news. The FUNAI is the government branch of indigenous organization, but it's not generally that well liked. Still.

[reasonsforhope]

"The transformation of ancestral lands into intensive monoculture plantations has led to the destruction of Guatemala’s native forests and traditional practices, as well as loss of livelihoods and damage to local health and the environment.

A network of more than 40 Indigenous and local communities and farmer associations are developing agroecology schools across the country to promote the recovery of ancestral practices, educate communities on agroecology and teach them how to build their own local economies.

Based on the traditional “campesino a campesino” (from farmer to farmer) method, the organization says it has improved the livelihoods of 33,000 families who use only organic farming techniques and collectively protect 74,000 hectares (182,858 acres) of forest across Guatemala.

Every Friday at 7:30 a.m., María Isabel Aguilar sells her organic produce in an artisanal market in Totonicapán, a city located in the western highlands of Guatemala. Presented on a handwoven multicolor blanket, her broccoli, cabbage, potatoes and fruits are neatly organized into handmade baskets.

Aguilar is in a cohort of campesinos, or small-scale farmers, who took part in farmer-led agroecology schools in her community. As a way out of the cycle of hunger and poverty, she learned ecological principles of sowing, soil conservation, seed storage, propagation and other agroecological practices that have provided her with greater autonomy, self-sufficiency and improved health.

“We learned how to develop insecticides to fend off pests,” she said. The process, she explained, involves a purely organic cocktail of garlic, chile, horsetail and other weeds and leaves, depending on what type of insecticide is needed. “You want to put this all together and let it settle for several days before applying it, and then the pests won’t come.”

“We also learned how to prepare fertilizer that helps improve the health of our plants,” she added. “Using leaves from trees or medicinal plants we have in our gardens, we apply this to our crops and trees so they give us good fruit.”

The expansion of large-scale agriculture has transformed Guatemala’s ancestral lands into intensive monoculture plantations, leading to the destruction of forests and traditional practices. The use of harmful chemical fertilizers, including glyphosate, which is prohibited in many countries, has destroyed some livelihoods and resulted in serious health and environmental damage.

To combat these trends, organizations across the country have been building a practice called campesino a campesino (from farmer to farmer) to revive the ancient traditions of peasant families in Guatemala. Through the implementation of agroecology schools in communities, they have helped Indigenous and local communities tackle modern-day rural development issues by exchanging wisdom, experiences and resources with other farmers participating in the program.

Keeping ancestral traditions alive

The agroecology schools are organized by a network of more than 40 Indigenous and local communities and farmer associations operating under the Utz Che’ Community Forestry Association. Since 2006, they have spread across several departments, including Totonicapán, Quiché, Quetzaltenango, Sololá and Huehuetenango, representing about 200,000 people — 90% of them Indigenous.

“An important part of this process is the economic autonomy and productive capacity installed in the communities,” said Ilse De León Gramajo, project coordinator at Utz Che’. “How we generate this capacity and knowledge is through the schools and the exchange of experiences that are facilitated by the network.”

Utz Che’, which means “good tree” in the K’iche’ Mayan language, identifies communities in need of support and sends a representative to set up the schools. Around 30-35 people participate in each school, including women and men of all ages. The aim is to facilitate co-learning rather than invite an “expert” to lead the classes.

The purpose of these schools is to help farmers identify problems and opportunities, propose possible solutions and receive technical support that can later be shared with other farmers.

The participants decide what they want to learn. Together, they exchange knowledge and experiment with different solutions to thorny problems. If no one in the class knows how to deal with a certain issue, Utz Che’ will invite someone from another community to come in and teach...

Part of what Utz Che’ does is document ancestral practices to disseminate among schools. Over time, the group has compiled a list of basics that it considers to be fundamental to all the farming communities, most of which respond to the needs and requests that have surfaced in the schools.

Agroecology schools transform lives

Claudia Irene Calderón, based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is an expert in agroecology and sustainable food systems in Guatemala. She said she believes the co-creation of knowledge is “key to balance the decision-making power that corporations have, which focus on profit maximization and not on climate change mitigation and adaptation.”

“The recovery and, I would add, revalorization of ancestral practices is essential to diversify fields and diets and to enhance planetary health,” she said. “Recognizing the value of ancestral practices that are rooted in communality and that foster solidarity and mutual aid is instrumental to strengthen the social fabric of Indigenous and small-scale farmers in Guatemala.”

Through the implementation of agroecology schools across the country, Utz Che’ says it has improved the livelihoods of 33,000 families. In total, these farmers also report that they collectively protect 74,000 hectares (182,858 acres) of forest across Guatemala by fighting fires, monitoring illegal logging and practicing reforestation.

In 2022, Utz Che’ surveyed 32 women who had taken part in the agroecology school. All the women had become fully responsible for the production, distribution and commercialization of their products, which was taught to them in agroecology schools. Today, they sell their produce at the artisanal market in Totonicapán.

The findings, which highlight the many ways the schools helped them improve their knowledge, also demonstrate the power and potential of these schools to increase opportunities and strengthen the independence of women producers across the country...

The schools are centered around the idea that people are responsible for protecting their natural resources and, through the revitalization of ancestral practices, can help safeguard the environment and strengthen livelihoods."

-via Mongabay News, July 7, 2023

[blackstarlineage]

The Carthaginian Civilization: An In-Depth Analysis of Africa’s Maritime and Military Powerhouse

Introduction: Carthage – The Forgotten African Empire

The Carthaginian civilization (c. 814 BCE – 146 BCE) was one of the greatest African maritime, economic, and military powers in history. Located in modern-day Tunisia, Carthage was a dominant force in the Mediterranean, rivaling Rome, Greece, and Persia for global supremacy.

Despite its African origins, Eurocentric history often erases Carthage’s Black African heritage, portraying it as a “Phoenician colony” rather than an independent African empire. From a Garveyite perspective, studying Carthage is crucial because it represents:

Black military excellence – Carthage was one of the most powerful naval and land forces in history.

Black economic and trade dominance – Carthage controlled Mediterranean commerce, creating an empire built on African wealth.

Black resistance to European expansion – Carthage fought the Roman Empire in the Punic Wars, demonstrating African resilience against European conquest.

By reclaiming Carthage’s history, Black people today can see proof that Africa was never weak—it was once a global superpower.

1. The Origins of Carthage: An African Power Rises

A. The Founding of Carthage (814 BCE)

Carthage was founded by the Phoenicians of Tyre (modern-day Lebanon) but quickly developed into an independent African power.

The city was built on the North African coast, strategically positioned for control over Mediterranean trade.

Over time, Carthage became culturally distinct from its Phoenician founders, incorporating African, Berber, and Nubian influences.

Example: Historians often overlook the fact that Carthage had strong ties to the indigenous Berbers of North Africa, proving its deep African roots.

Key Takeaway: Carthage was not a foreign colony—it was an African empire that controlled its own destiny.

2. The Economic Power of Carthage: Africa’s Trade Empire

A. Maritime Dominance and Global Trade

Carthage became the wealthiest city in the Mediterranean, controlling trade routes across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

It developed one of the most advanced naval fleets, allowing it to dominate sea trade and exploration.

Carthaginian merchants traded in gold, ivory, textiles, silver, and spices, connecting Africa to Europe and Asia.

Example: Carthage had exclusive trade agreements with sub-Saharan Africa, importing gold and exotic goods that made it one of the richest cities of its time.

Key Takeaway: Africa was not dependent on Europe—Carthage proved that African wealth built global trade networks centuries before colonialism.

B. The Agriculture and Industry of Carthage

Carthage developed an advanced agricultural economy, growing wheat, olives, and grapes.

The empire built massive irrigation systems to maximize food production, making it one of the most self-sufficient African civilizations.

It also developed high-quality metalworking, shipbuilding, and glass manufacturing, making its goods highly valued worldwide.

Example: Roman records show that Carthaginian farms were so advanced that even after Rome destroyed Carthage, they copied its agricultural techniques.

Key Takeaway: Black civilizations developed their own economic and industrial advancements without European influence.

3. The Military Strength of Carthage: Rome’s Greatest Rival

A. The Carthaginian Navy: Masters of the Mediterranean

Carthage had the most powerful navy in the world before Rome, controlling maritime trade and warfare.

It developed the quinquereme warship, a revolutionary naval vessel that allowed Carthage to dominate the seas.

The Carthaginian navy played a key role in protecting African and Mediterranean trade routes from piracy and foreign invasion.

Example: During the First Punic War (264-241 BCE), Carthage’s navy nearly crushed Rome’s expansion before the Romans developed their own navy.

Key Takeaway: A strong Black civilization must control its own military to protect its economy and sovereignty.

B. Hannibal Barca: One of the Greatest Generals in History

Hannibal, a Carthaginian general, led an army of Berbers soldiers against Rome during the Second Punic War (218-201 BCE).

He executed one of the greatest military campaigns in history by marching an army—including elephants—across the Alps to invade Italy.

He defeated the Romans in multiple battles, including the Battle of Cannae (216 BCE), where he annihilated a Roman army twice his size.

Example: European historians recognize Hannibal as one of the greatest military strategists of all time, yet they downplay Carthage’s African roots.

Key Takeaway: Black military leadership was so powerful that it nearly crushed the Roman Empire.

4. The Fall of Carthage: Rome’s Destruction of an African Power

A. The Third Punic War and the Roman Invasion (149-146 BCE)

Rome saw Carthage as a threat to its expansion and launched the Third Punic War to destroy it.

After years of resistance, Rome finally invaded Carthage in 146 BCE, burning the city to the ground.

Over 200,000 Carthaginians were massacred or enslaved, and Rome salted the land to prevent Carthage from rebuilding.

Example: The Romans erased Carthage from history, renaming the region Africa Proconsularis—which later became the name for the entire continent.

Key Takeaway: Colonizers have always sought to erase Black civilizations that challenge their dominance.

5. The Legacy of Carthage and the Garveyite Call for Rebuilding Black Power

A. The Influence of Carthage on African and Global History

Carthage’s military strategies, agricultural techniques, and trade networks influenced later African civilizations.

Many Berber and West African cultures retained elements of Carthaginian governance, trade, and military tactics.

The spirit of Carthage lived on in African resistance movements against European colonialism.

Example: African empires like Mali and Songhai carried on Carthage’s trade dominance through trans-Saharan commerce.

Garveyite Perspective: Africa must reclaim its lost civilizations and use their successes as blueprints for future Black empowerment.

B. The Lessons of Carthage for Black People Today

Economic self-reliance is key – Carthage controlled trade without European interference.

Military strength is necessary – Without a strong defense, Black nations remain vulnerable to foreign attacks.

Historical awareness is power – Black people must reclaim Carthage’s legacy and not let Europe erase it.

Example: If Carthage had won the Punic Wars, the world would have been shaped by African governance, not Roman imperialism.

Garveyite Perspective: The future of Black empowerment depends on studying our past victories and rebuilding African economic and military strength.

Conclusion: Will We Reclaim Carthage’s Legacy?

Marcus Garvey taught:

“If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life.”

Will Black people continue to let others define our history, or will we reclaim Carthage’s greatness?

Will we build independent Black economies, or continue to rely on foreign nations?

Will we allow our history to be erased, or will we restore Carthage’s legacy as an African superpower?

The Choice is Ours. The Time is Now.

[cognitivejustice]

Learning from the land: Using indigenous knowledge for climate-sensitive circular lifestyles

Indigenous techniques like natural resource renewal, tree-based farming, traditional mud-and-wood housing, and consuming local, uncultivated foods, can address some aspects of climate change and also bring about a sense of responsibility and connection with nature. Promoting agroforestry and integrating trees into farms can improve biodiversity and soil health. Adopting drought-resistant crops and traditional methods like rainwater harvesting, mulching, and using organic manure is vital for conserving moisture, enhancing soil fertility, and minimising external inputs. Building on these approaches, there is a powerful social dimension that further amplifies their impact.

But before proposing viable solutions, we need meticulous landscape mapping: understanding community environments, traditional knowledge systems, and specific vulnerabilities. Fully understanding these dimensions can pinpoint exact strategies to reduce our ecological footprint, and promote lifestyles that minimise electricity consumption and resource use, while drawing on ancient wisdom to enhance our modern lives.

[probablyasocialecologist]

On the border of Peru and Bolivia, the Waru Waru—an indigenous Quechua word that means ridge—are once again protecting potato and quinoa crops as they did in the region 2,000 years ago. "It is an agricultural system that lets us face climate change, which has changed the seasons of the year. It is very beneficial in times of drought and frost," farmer Cesar Cutipa, 42, told AFP. Puno lies on Lake Titicaca about 3,812 meters (12,507 feet) above sea level. Farmers have made six Waru Waru nearby in flood-prone fields. Furrows form a rectangular platform, where planting is done. Surrounded by water, the planting beds are up to 100 meters long, between four and 10 meters wide and one meter high. The water around the plants creates a microclimate, absorbing heat from the sun during the day and radiating it back at night to ward off frost in sub-zero temperatures. "The Waru Waru cannot flood during the rainy season because they have an intelligent drainage system that reaches the river. They have many advantages," agronomist Gaston Quispe told AFP. In 2023, when Puno suffered one of the largest periods of drought in almost six decades, Waru Waru helped farmers cope with lack of water and avoid food shortages. The area is home to mostly indigenous farming communities, mostly Quechua in Peru—and up the Andes—and both Quechua and Aymara in Bolivia. "We are able to live here peacefully because we have our potatoes, our quinoa and barley. We can be in peace without going to the city," said 22-year-old farmer Valeria Nahua.

[moneeb0930]

AFRICA, a continent rich in history and culture, was a diverse and vibrant place 100 years before the colonial era began. The period prior to European colonization of Africa was characterized by the existence of powerful and sophisticated civilizations, trade networks, and diverse societies. During this time, Africa was home to thriving kingdoms and empires, such as the Kingdom of Ghana, the Mali Empire, the Benin Empire,and the Great Zimbabwe Empire.

One of the remarkable aspects of Africa before colonialism was the economic prosperity and trade networks that existed across the continent. The Trans-Saharan trade routes connected the North African coast with the interior of the continent, facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures. The trade in gold, salt, ivory, and other resources contributed to the wealth of African societies and enabled the development of urban centers and marketplaces.

In addition to trade, agriculture played a significant role in the pre-colonial African societies. Many regions practiced advanced farming techniques, growing crops such as grains, yams, and millet. Livestock farming was also a common practice, with cattle, sheep, and goats being raised for food, milk, and trade. The agricultural surplus generated by these practices supported the growth of populations and the development of complex societies.

Socially and culturally, pre-colonial Africa was characterized by a rich tapestry of traditions, languages, and belief systems. The continent was home to a diverse array of ethnic groups, each with its own customs, art forms, and social structures. Oral traditions, storytelling, and music played a vital role in communicating histories and values within African societies. Religious practices were also diverse, ranging from indigenous animist beliefs to Islam and Christianity, which were introduced through trade and migration.

The political landscape of Africa before colonialism was marked by the presence of powerful kingdoms and empires that governed vast territories. These political entities were often organized hierarchically, with rulers holding significant authority over their subjects. The Kingdom of Ghana, for example, controlled trade routes and amassed wealth through taxation and tribute. The Mali Empire under Mansa Musa was renowned for its wealth, power, and intellectual pursuits.

In conclusion, Africa 100 years before colonialism was a continent teeming with cultural diversity, economic prosperity, and political sophistication. The continent's vibrant civilizations and societies thrived through trade, agriculture, and social structures that sustained their way of life. The legacy of pre-colonial Africa continues to influence the continent's present-day cultures, identities, and aspirations, reminding us of the resilience and vitality of Africa's past.

📸 A lady from today Ghana 🇬🇭 adorned in gold jewelry #africa

[mobilefruit-gundam]

Reading Rachel Laudan’s Cusine and Empire which really got me thinking about like- decolonized and deindustrialized food ways and what that looks like practically as well as the possibilities for new food technologies that remain unexplored due to the homogeneous adoption of the ingredients and processing of the colonial palate.

Just take wheat flours and refined cane sugar for example, the demand for which has for centuries justified the mass theft of land, forced labor of enslaved people, and widespread ecological destruction in order to cultivate. These products have unique qualities but are only one of hundreds of possible flours or sugars that can and have historically been processed by the human animal for consumption. But the vast majority of alternatives have ended up in stasis (at best) after colonization pushed aside traditional staple starches and sweeteners made from local ingredients and using regional methods. Food sources and technologies of course spread through more friendly means, not just via subjugation / cultural genocide, and when exchanged willingly can still outright replace extant staples but it’s infrequent. More often they are adopted alongside preexisting cuisines, ingredients or techniques mixed and matched with those already at use in a region.

Considering my own locale as an example i wonder what my diet might look like if methods of acorn meal and manzanita flour refinement and extraction of sugars from fruits and saps had been allowed their natural course of advancement. It also encourages me to get into more projects around this line of thought: making sustainable foods that are of place both in material ingredients and the processes of their transformation. Reforming the palate is a piece but we also continue to limit ourselves creatively, nutritionally, and practically by not looking beyond a small selection of staples. Literally a million sources for protein, carbs, fats, sugars, salts, etc and as many ways of refining said necessities without monoculture, factory farming, exploitive labor, or mass waste. And there are a lot of resources to start from when it comes to indigenous recipes and food ways, most of that knowledge isn’t totally lost it’s just been undervalued and ignored. Anyway… a long and likely incoherent post all to say i wanna start compiling a regionally specific cookbook for the post-industrial world.

[nitewrighter]

Have Lucio give the poor rat some love any kind to your taste

I love Junkrat but I also think it's hilarious that all the Junkrat fans are like "Everyone is so mean to him!!!! :,("

---

[During setup in Junkertown]

Lúcio: I love the music scene here. It's so... raw! You guys are doing some pretty impressive stuff with percussion.

Junkrat: Oh! Oh! You should do a collab with me 'n Roadie's band!

Lúcio: *skeptical* You have a band?

Roadhog: No.

Junkrat: Sure we do! Well--right now we're just a duo, but with you we could be a band!

---

[If Junkrat has his Beachrat skin equipped]

Lúcio: *wincing sound* oooh... ouch. You need some aloe? I've got aloe.

Junkrat: Oh! Can you get this little spot on my back?

Lúcio: uhhh....

---

Junkrat: Those Vishkar suits give me the heebie jeebies. Bloody everything's all blue and white and glowy with them! What's wrong with a little color?

Lúcio: That's literally what I'm always saying!

----

[During setup in Paraiso]

Junkrat: It's so nice here! The colors! The sea! And the people here don't look like they want to kill me nearly as much as the folks back in Junkertown did!

Lúcio: You ever think of living somewhere else?

Junkrat: Well it's still home, Junkertown. In spite of everything. 'Sides, I'd hardly fit in, here.

Lúcio: You'd be surprised. There's all sorts--especially in Rio.

----

Junkrat: One time, Roadie and me heisted a whole pallet of your cereal!

Lúcio: *flatly* You know the proceeds for that are supposed to go to supporting indigenous and sustainable farming techniques, right?

Junkrat: Ooh, well we already ate it all. Hm. Well, we can blow up a coupla logging trucks! That oughta help, right?

Lúcio: You can't solve all your problems by blowing things up, man.

Junkrat: I mean it's how I've solved every problem so far...

[reyaint]

history of HAIQIN | part I: pre-founding era

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

date: september 28, 2024

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pre-Founding Era (~1400s-1500s): Native and Greek Influence

Origin Story:

Migration and Early Settlement:

The indigenous peoples of Haiqin, known as the Akinai, had rich traditions of oral history and were skilled in various crafts, including pottery and weaving. When the Greek travelers arrived, they brought with them their own customs, stories, and artistic expressions, which intertwined with Akinai traditions.

Initial encounters were marked by curiosity and mutual respect. The Akinai were intrigued by the Greeks' advanced navigation techniques and metalworking skills, while the Greeks admired the Akinai's deep connection to the land and their ecological knowledge.

Initial contacts were marked by trade and curiosity rather than conflict, as both groups sought to understand one another’s way of life.

Cultural Exchange:

Spiritual Synthesis:

The merging of Greek deities with Akinai spirits led to a unique pantheon. For example, Zephyra, the Greek goddess of the wind, was associated with Naji, the Akinai spirit of storms, creating a duality in weather rituals that honored both traditions.

Festivals celebrated this synthesis, where rituals involved both Greek-style processions and native dances, showcasing the harmonious blending of traditions.

Religious Syncretism:

The merging of Greek mythology with indigenous spiritual beliefs led to the creation of new deities, often depicted as hybrid figures. For instance, a goddess representing agriculture might have attributes of Demeter combined with local nature spirits, leading to festivals that celebrated both harvests and nature's cycles.

Architectural Innovations:

Settlements featured a mix of Greek and indigenous architecture. Greek columns adorned communal gathering spaces, while traditional Akinai structures utilized local materials and designs that respected the natural environment.

This architectural fusion became a symbol of unity, leading to the construction of The Great Plaza of Vasilika, a central meeting point that facilitated trade and cultural exchange.

Artistic expression flourished as the two cultures mingled; pottery, textiles, and tools began to showcase elements from both Greek and native designs, symbolizing their cooperative spirit.

Greek architectural styles influenced indigenous housing, with stone and clay materials forming unique structures that featured columns and open courtyards. Indigenous designs included natural elements like wood and thatch, creating a blend of aesthetic beauty and functionality.

Coexistence:

Technological Collaboration:

The Greeks introduced agricultural techniques such as irrigation and crop rotation, which the Akinai adapted to enhance local farming practices. The combination of Greek crops like olives and Akinai staples like maize created a diverse agricultural economy.

Seasonal fairs began to emerge, where both cultures exchanged goods, knowledge, and stories, fostering deeper relationships.

Shared festivals and rituals became commonplace, celebrating seasonal changes and harvests. Ceremonies began to feature a mix of Greek deities and local spirits, reflecting the spiritual blending of the two cultures.

Intermarriage between Greeks and indigenous peoples created a new demographic that combined both heritages, further solidifying bonds between the groups.

Language and Communication:

As Greeks settled, a pidgin language developed, mixing Greek and local dialects. This became the foundation for the future Haiqin language, emphasizing shared vocabulary related to agriculture, trade, and spiritual concepts.

Political Organization:

Formation of Councils:

Inspired by Greek democratic principles, councils were established, consisting of both Greek settlers and Akinai chiefs. These councils focused on issues like land use, trade agreements, and conflict resolution.

The Council of Elders (may change the name idk yet) emerged as a prominent body that balanced both cultures' interests, ensuring decisions reflected the values of both communities.

The leader, Sulien, inspired by the ideals of democracy and unity, established a formal constitution that incorporated elements from both Greek and native governance, allowing for representation of all tribes.

This constitution laid the groundwork for a council that included both noble families and tribal chiefs, promoting cooperation and shared power.

[farmerstrend]

Transforming Rocky Lands into Thriving Farms: The Success Story of Beatrice Mwangi in Gilgil

Discover how Beatrice Mwangi transformed rocky land in Langalanga, Gilgil, into a thriving organic farm, conserving indigenous seeds and promoting sustainable farming practices. Learn about Beatrice Mwangi’s journey from struggling on unproductive rocky terrain to becoming a leading advocate for indigenous seed saving and regenerative agriculture in Nakuru County. Explore the inspiring story of…

[bumblebeeappletree]

As climate chaos increases around the world, Michelle Week, a farmer outside of Portland Oregon is drawing on her Sinixt indigenous knowledge to adapt her farm to the changing seasons. By practicing techniques like seed saving and dry farming, Michelle is combating the increasing food security crisis while continuing to provide fresh food to her local community.

[localebra]

Alternate Universe versions of Kai Green

Nega Ben's version of Kai Green grew up with no one believing her about seeing the alien, but she quickly found a community that would. She became an online Monster Hunter gaining a following, with no good Ben to defend this earth and The Secret Saturdays overwhelmed with aliens she can always find a few aliens or cryptids.

Benzarro's versions of Kai Green's people survived by going back to there roots, surviving using ambush tactics and old farming techniques. She quickly rose up to be their leader after Wes Green was bitten.

No Watch Ben version of Kai Green would still become an archaeologist specialising in alien cultures after her close encounter and grandfather's stories. Becoming embittered as early in her career she found proof of alien contact resulting in a Plumbers cover-up making her look like a fraudster.

Mad Ben version of Kai Green according to DJW is Dating Mad Ben. So she probably works as a lieutenant for him in return for her people's homelands being protected.

Ben 23 version of Kai Green would be an activist for foremost actively fighting for aliens along with indigenous peoples rights. Bringing her in contact with Ben 23 as he makes amends for how he treated aliens previously by trying to inform the world about them. Kai and Ben 23 are on the same side but more confrontational with each other than the enemy, him being more egotistical and her being more outspoken than the main universe counterparts.

Gweniverse version of Kai Green would still develop a crush on Ben, but would constantly but heads with Gwen. Over the years it becoming a more friendly rivalry of one upmanship and flaunting successes as Kai and Ben got closer.

Gwen 10 What-If version of Kai Green's archaeologist career path was nurtured even more so by Wes Green after he met an Omnitrix wielding Max Tennyson. Seeing him help and train his niece and nephew inspired him to take up archaeology with his granddaughter, becoming an unstoppable team in the world of Xenologists.

Bad Ben version of Kai Green wanted to become an archaeologist, but quickly learnt that was just another way for those empowered to steal from those who couldn't stop them. After seeing this happen again and again she finally decided to do something and began stealing artifacts from museums to return them to the cultures they belong to. Her criminal antics are what brought Bad Ben's attention to her, they begin and on again off again relationship because she is morally grey and he is morally pitch black.

[cognitivejustice]

Agroecology is far more than a set of sustainable agricultural practices

Agroecology puts peasants and indigenous voices at the center. It seeks to preserve biocultural diversity and strengthen resilience while challenging existing power structures in the food system.

The ever-busy schedule at the Bio-Gardening Innovations (Biogi), a hands-on farmer training centre in Elununi, Vihiga County is a clear testament of how smallholder farmers are eager to learn about techniques that can help them remain productive despite the changing climatic conditions.

According to Ferdinand Wafula, the founder and coordinator of the training centre, farmers from Vihiga, and as far as Kakamega and Nandi counties, have been streaming in every week to learn about regenerating seeds so as to maintain unique traits and adaptability to local climates, health and fertility of soil through the use of ecological farming practices, and to mingle with other farmers from different parts of the region.

“We support smallholder farmers in transitioning to ecological farming systems by employing principles of agroecology, and we teach them about designing permaculture units that are both productive and sustainable, integrating crops and vegetative cover to create resilient ecosystems,” said Wafula.

Agroecology, an approach that blends ecological science with traditional farming knowledge, is emerging as a sustainable solution to the multiple challenges faced by agriculture today—rising input costs, soil degradation, water scarcity, and growing climate risks. By reducing reliance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides, promoting crop diversity, and prioritising soil health, agroecology offers a way forward that benefits both farmers and the environment.

“Agroecology is not just about growing food; it’s about rethinking the entire food system,”

[chessamade]

Three of Cups

Back from August 2020: The Three of Cups is a card of community and union between three close relationships, usually women. I thought about three legendary women and remembered the Three Sisters of Native agriculture: a staple in many Native foods. In order of their cultivation, they are the Winter Squash, Maize, and Climbing Beans.

The Three Sisters are planted together and benefit each other in their coexistence. The maize provides a foundation for the beans to climb, the beans provide nutrients to the soil, and the squash on the ground prevents the growth of weeds as well as creating a microclimate that keeps the soil moist. This sort of cohabiting relationship was perfect for this card, and I included bowls of the crops to work in the cup symbology.

I initially didn't know if I wanted to make the Sisters have human-colored skin or plant-colored skin, as I didn't know if any of these colors would be problematic (obviously red is unacceptable). I checked with three of my Native friends to make sure orange, gold, and green would be okay, and they were happy with it. I'm glad the plant colors worked too, because it makes the Sisters seem more like spirits instead of Native women who decided to put a bunch of plants on their heads. Another color I struggled with for a time was with Sister Maize, as obviously corn husks are usually a dark green in color. I was concerned that Sister Beans was already taking up a lot of green, and thought a golden corn husk color would help balance the colors, as well as draw in some of the warmth of the squash colors from the eldest Sister. Because of the presence of both green and warm colors in Sister Squash, she serves as a balance between Sister Maize and Sister Beans.

My favorite part of painting was definitely dotting all the exquisite maize colors. They come in so many beautiful varieties of blues, purples, magentas, whites, yellows, and a dark blue almost green raven-like color. If you would like to read a bit about the Native cultivation of maize and the Western colonization of maize, this interview with botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer is an enlightening read about the sacred properties of the Corn Mother.

Three Sisters is just one of the many Native farming techniques that kept North America alive and vibrant, utilizing different plants' abilities to fertilize the soil in preparation for new growth, and keeping the ecosystems balanced. Western farming techniques in comparison do not use the land to its fullest potential, and we've ruined much of the landscape because of this.

If you were to draw up this card, remember those who support you. Think about the strong feminine presences in your life and how you look out for one another. You are vital to this bond, pulling your weight and beautiful in the eyes of those who love you. Each of you is different, but that's what gives you strength.

If you would like to learn how to cook Native dishes, I recommend the cookbooks The Sioux Chef's Indigenous Kitchen by Sean Sherman and Beth Dooley, and The Mitisitam Cafe Cookbook by Richard Hetzler.

Here is a link to my shop. All proceeds of the Three of Cups prints go to Real Rent Duwamish.

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

“Dirty hands, clean money”

Organic farmers in Altamira are working to change the culture of a region where many people think nothing of using pesticides to kill weeds and insects. As well as the fight against entrenched attitudes, they face economic and climate challenges

Organic farmers in Altamira are working to change the culture of a region where many people think nothing of using pesticides to kill weeds and insects. As well as the fight against entrenched attitudes, they face economic and climate challenges

Sebastião Heraldo Lira Gomes has done a bit of everything, from soiling his hands in the yellow mud of Brazil’s gold-mining regions to digging in the black soil of a vegetable garden. In his 45 years, he has worked for construction and asphalting companies, at brick plants, and even as a gold prospector. In the mines, his life once hung by a thread when he was digging branches out of the mud to clean off material to be mined. An alarmed co-worker pointed to a mountain of tailings and shouted a warning: “The barrier is going to collapse.” It did, and Sebastião narrowly escaped. He told this story while planting a row of lettuce seedlings in his organic garden in Altamira, a city in southwestern Pará.

“Mining is an adventure. You head out not knowing whether you’ll come back,” Sebastião says. He survived the dangers but never returned to the mines. Born on a small farm on Bacabal, an island in the Xingu River, Sebastião grew up helping his family plant rice, beans, corn, and cassava. Until the age of 25, he followed in his parents’ footsteps, but then he moved to Altamira, where he held a number of jobs. In 2021, at the suggestion of his wife, Alderene, 51, he left mining and decided to make farming a source of income, hoping to enjoy the security of working on his own land while being close to his family.

When he contacted the Pará state rural extension agency Emater, the agent Joabe dos Santos asked him, “Why don’t you plant organic produce?” Sebastião didn’t even know what organic food was. His family had never used pesticides on their crops. Indigenous peoples, Beiradeiros, and other traditional communities in the Amazon have always planted without relying on these poisons.

Organic farming emerged as a response to the growing application of pesticides and fertilizers on European crops following World War I (1914-1918). The practice aims to keep agricultural activities in balance with Nature through the adoption of modern production techniques and the responsible use of water and soil. Organic farming rejects chemical fertilizers and transgenic seeds, which have been modified to resist drought, pests, and pesticides. This approach to agriculture also strives to forge an environment of social justice and respect for both human labor and the more-than-human world.

Continue reading.