The
rainy season (2024-2025) is being marked by low rainfall in the Lago district,
particularly in the municipality of Metangula, of the Niassa province, northern
of Mozambique, which is causing concern among the local population.
The first and only rain occurred on
December 31, accompanied by a storm that destroyed several infrastructures.
Afterward, the rain vanished, leaving behind only the burning sun and humid
heat, which is affecting agricultural production and beyond.
Ancha Ágida, a farmer, says to Mozanorte she waited
for rain, which only came to spoil and deceive the farmers. She is now afraid
of losing her crops. "We prayed a lot for rain, but it came, destroyed
everything, and left. Now we don’t know when it will rain again, and this year
there will be hunger because the crops are being destroyed by the burning
sun," said Ancha.
Ancha suggests a solution to the lack
of rain, which is to perform the ritual of asking the ancestors for rain. She
urges community leaders to return to the practices of the past. "In the
past, a ceremony was held to ask the ancestors for rain, and it worked. Today
we don’t do this because we no longer respect our traditions. The traditional
leaders should meet and decide what to do," said Ancha Ágida.
Argentina Alves, a trader and resident
of the village of Metangula, predicts hunger throughout the year due to the
lack of rain, as even the river that provides water for irrigating vegetables
is still dry. "I’m not a farmer, but I feel it because when the farmers
don’t produce, we are all affected. Even for gardening, it’s impossible because
the river is still dry," she said.
It is worth noting that in the third
week of December, rain rituals were held in the northern part of Metangula
municipality, as well as in the administrative posts of Maniamba and Meluluca.
(by
David Muianga)
.jpeg)
.jpg)
0 Comments