The power of listening and reflection in reconnecting with the natural home.

BY STEVE EPHRAEM 

A unique gathering organised by PELUM Zimbabwe in collaboration with EarthLore Foundation, and is taking place in Chimanimani has reminded people of an ancient truth that nature speaks to those who listen to it.

The dialogue named Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is helping communities to revive their deep connection with the land through reflection and shared wisdom. 

The event is a movement to bring back forgotten traditions. By training organisations in facilitation skills, the dialogue weaves together Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Holistic Land and Livestock Managementt (HLLM).

This approach doesn’t just teach techniques but helps communities reclaim their role as caretakers of the earth, restoring damaged landscapes and protecting indigenous seeds for future generations. 

On the third day of the training (July 9), facilitator Gertrude Pswarayi shared a powerful message.

“For centuries, the forest was our home. Our parents understood the songs of birds and the murmurs of rivers. But today, many of us have forgotten how to listen and have walked away from the very home that sustains us,” she said. 

To reconnect, participants stepped into the forest for 45 minutes of quiet observation without phones, pens and note books to avoid distractions.

During the report session, it became evident that  reflecting helps people slow down and truly see what nature is telling them. These moments of quiet observation allow communities to rediscover lost knowledge which helps them to heal the land.