Boabab
The Boabab tree is one of the more iconic flora of the Dunia realm. With bark and fruit offering over 300 life-sustaining uses, it is the root of many indigenous remedies, traditions, and folklore, leading to its nickname, ‘The Tree of Life.’
Basic Information
Anatomy
They have unusual barrel-like trunks and are known for their extraordinary longevity . They have a water-storing trunk that may reach a diameter of 9 metres (30 feet) and a height of 18 metres (59 feet). Older individuals often have huge hollow trunks that are formed by the fusion of multiple stems over time.
Ecology and Habitats
Baobab trees are fundamental to the entire dry savanna ecosystem of the Naimey, Nizadi and Azania regions. They help keep soil conditions humid, aid nutrient recycling, and slow soil erosion with their massive root systems.
As a succulent, the tree absorbs and stores water from the rainy season in its massive trunk, producing a nutrient-dense fruit in the dry season, which can grow up to a foot long. The fruit contains tartaric acid and Vitamin C, serving as a vital nutrient and food source for many species.
They are also an essential source of water and shelter for hundreds of animals, including birds, lizards, monkeys, and even elephants – which can eat their bark for moisture when there is no water nearby. Bats pollinate the flowers, feeding on their nectar.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
All baobab cultivars are extensively used by local peoples. Many trees have edible leaves and fruits and are important for a number of herbal remedies. A strong fibre from the bark is used for rope and cloth in many places, and the trees supply raw materials for hunting and fishing tools. Naturally hollow or excavated trunks often serve as water reserves or temporary shelters and have even been used as prisons, burial sites, and stables. The trees are culturally and religiously important in many areas. Its young leaves are edible, and the large gourdlike woody fruit contains a tasty mucilaginous pulp from which a refreshing drink can be made.
For herbivorous and omnivorous peoples, the baobab’s fruit pulp can be eaten, soaked in water to make a refreshing drink, preserved into a jam, or roasted and ground to make a coffee-like substance. The bark can be pounded to make everything from rope, mats, and baskets to paper and cloth. Leaves are also used, they can be boiled and eaten, or glue can be made from their flower’s pollen.
Throughout the regions of Dunia, Indigenous communities note the baobab for its branches that seem to span out in all directions like roots.
Civilization and Culture
Common Myths and Legends
Along the Nizadi region, the tribes believe that when the world was young the Baobabs were upright and proud. However for some unknown reason, they lorded over the lesser growths.The gods became angry and uprooted the Baobabs, thrusting them back into the ground, root upwards.
Evil spirits now haunt the sweet white flowers and anyone who picks one will be killed by a lion. One gigantic baobab tree in Aris is said to be haunted by a ghostly python. Some people believe that if you pick a flower from a Baobab tree you will be eaten by a lion, but if you drink water in which a Baobab's seeds have been soaked you will be safe from crocodile attack. Certain tribes wash baby boys in water soaked in the bark of a baobab. Then, like the tree, they will grow up mighty and strong.
Before the Ablan Hauflins came, a large python lived in the hollow trunk and was worshipped by the local natives. When they prayed for rain, fine crops and good hunting , the python answered their prayers. Then the first colonizing hauflin hunter shot the python and this event led to disastrous consequences. On still nights the natives claim to hear a continuous hissing sound from the old tree.
In the Kgalagadi National Park, one of the largest Baobabs is known as 'Kondanamwali' - the tree that eats maidens. This enormous tree fell in love with the four beautiful girls who lived in its shade. When they reached puberty, they sought husbands and made the tree jealous.
One night, during a raging thunderstorm, the tree opened its trunk and took the maidens inside. A rest house had been built in the branches of the tree. On stormy nights, it is the crying of the imprisoned maidens that make people inside tremble - not the sounds of the wild animals.
Natives believe that women living in kraals where baobab trees are plentiful have more children than those living outside baobab zones. They eat soup made from baobab leaves, which is rich in vitamins. This compensates for any deficiency in their diet. Doctors have confirmed that this indeed brings about a higher fertility rate.
The Dunia bushman of the Azania region have a legend that tells of the old god Thora. He took a dislike to the Baobab growing in his garden, so he threw it out over the wall of Paradise on to Kaf below, and although the tree landed upside-down it continued to grow. It is not surprising that such a strange looking tree should have superstitions linked to it.
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