Indigenous Forest Keeper Artist

Moraro has two species of Centropogon cornutus

Centropogon cornutus is a lover of areas that are cool with well drained loose soil. This type of condition is found only in certain parts of Moraro. If this plant is to continue thriving then the conditions it loves must be available. In working with the forest indigenous peoples tend not to drastically change the environment so such plants as the centropogon can always be found.

This grass is one type that attracts birds that feed on its grains.

An area that has changed by land use due to farming can become home to different species of plants, which in turn can attract different species of 'wildlife'

REFORESTATION FARMING

Cultivation is one important activity of a traditional family.

A typical family would have at least three farms; one yielding mature crops for home use or trade, one with growing crops and the other, still with crops to reap but in the stage of resting for reforestation.

Simply put, the art of forest farming is clearing a rich, suitable piece of an old forest. This is then planted with crops that are suitable for the natural conditions. A varied number of plants are grow in the same farm; some longer term than others. The main crop grown is cassava which is indigenous to tropical South America, with others, such as potato, banana, corn and pineapple growing alongside this main crop.

When land is prepared, trees that are felled are allowed to re-grow. This is done by not pulling up or killing their roots. Living roots enable the trees to recover while cultivated crops are growing.

With this system, neither fertilizers nor pesticides are used and the forest is already in a state of recovery while farmed plants are still yielding.

A new forest farm being cleared besides an older farm. Naturally growing Ite palms from which valuable produce is obtained line the far background

Haiawa (Protium heptaphyllum)

Haiawa fruits growing on tree in Moraro

In the cycle of forest management by farming, many plants have their turn to flourish. Some are left to grow, and so spread. The haiawa (Protium heptaphyllum) is one of them. In Moraro, though many forest farms have been established in the area, the haiawa is still in evidence which is a clear indication that indigenous peoples method of farming coupled with the traditional lifestyle is responsible for the preservation of the forest.

Haiawa is a forest fruit, but the gum is used as an incense. The gum is carefully harvested only when the tree has given off an excess amount of gum. The fact that it is only used locally makes it harvesting kind to the trees. If over harvested, the trees loose their potency and can die.

Clidemia capitellata

Clidemia capitellata (bird seed) is a very persistent shrub of a plant. The tiny berries of one variety is edible.