5.8 Knowledge on Mitigation and Adaptation held by Farmers
5.8.2 Indigenous Knowledge on Weather Prediction
5.8.2.2 Use of Indigenous Knowledge on Weather Prediction in Maluga Village
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Yobwa Bird Name could not
be ascertained
Their movement from west to east during mid-October signifies a good year. Their late appearance signifies a bad year.
Samamba/Mbayuwayu Wire-tailed swallow
Hirundo smithii Appear in groups all over the sky showing imminent rainfall onset. Their appearance also predicts imminent heavy rainfall onset.
(Source: UDSM Zoologist 2013)
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farming activities. Msalumbi and Mtuundwa tree species produce fruits which ripen when rainfall is imminent.
Findings from the interviews and the FGDs indicate that the birds used as local indicators for weather predictions are white-browed coucal (Centropus superciliosus), also locally known as Dudumizi, wire-tailed swallow (Hirundo smithii), locally identified as Samamba, Nkuunguza (English and scientific names could not be identified), Nsiigu (English and scientific names could not be identified) and cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis), locally known as Nangenange and Kinkiingoma (English name could not be identified). These birds are used to predict the onset of rainfall and a good rainfall season. The appearance of white-browed coucals, moving and singing in groups early in the morning, around 05:00, in October and November signifies imminent rainfall and a good year. Wire-tailed swallows appear in groups during rainfall onset and their appearance predicts heavy rainfall. The appearance of another bird species, identified as Kinkiingoma, in November and producing a distinctive noise indicates rainfall onset and predicts heavy rainfall. It was similarly found that the appearance of Nkuunguza, cattle egrets and Nsiigu birds in large numbers predict rainfall onset and good harvests in a season.
In Maluga village farmers use hyenas and frogs (various species) for rainfall prediction. The noise produced by hyenas and frogs signifies the onset of rain. The noise of a hyena (Crocuta crocuta) predicts imminent rainfall in a season. The study ascertained that insects used for weather prediction in Maluga village are Mlilyanondoo (English and scientific names could not be identified), termites (Ancistrotermes sp.), Grass-green grasshoppers (Hesperotettix sp.) locally known as Senene, caterpillars/host larvae (Melachaka jeseri) and millipedes (various species). The appearance of termites (Ancistrotermes sp.) on the earth’s surface indicates the beginning of the rainfall season. Particularly, when Mlilyanondo insects appear and make a noise, it shows the rain is about to start. The appearance of grass-green grasshoppers (Hesperotettix sp.) signifies both imminent rainfall and a good year. When caterpillars/host larvae appear after the rainfall season (January) food scarcity is imminent.
FGDs established that farmers use wind direction to predict rainfall onset and amount of rainfall in a season. Findings show when farmers observe strong winds moving from west to east from September to November it signifies imminent heavy rainfall in the upcoming season. When the wind direction is from east to west in July, it indicates that there will be
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less rainfall in the upcoming season and is believed to predict a bad year. Farmers pointed out that when they observe heavy dust moving from south to north it signifies imminent rainfall.
FGD findings in Maluga village were that farmers use the structure of the moon and its colour to predict a season of sufficient rain or scarce rainfall. It was observed that farmers describe a good rainfall season when the moon’s structure is oval with a small black spot in the middle and surrounded by clouds. When the moon is overcrowded by clouds appearing as a black spot surrounding the moon, it signifies rainfall onset and means heavy rainfall. When the moon is red it predicts high rainfall and when it is white low rainfall is the forecast.
Farmers in Maluga village use the sun and temperature to predict weather in a season. When there is a high temperature, strong sun rays and heat in September to November it signifies the onset of rainfall. When the sun is in a south-west direction during the rainfall season, it signifies imminent rain. When the sun is positioned in the north-west it indicates the beginning of a summer season in a year.
In Maluga village farmers use stars to predict weather. They use stars to predict amount of rainfall and rainfall. Farmers use the stars’ positioning in a particular referenced location to signify the amount of rainfall in a season. The FGDs indicated that Nimila stars appear in November to December prior to the onset of rainfall. They move slowly from the east and when they reach a known position, recognised by farmers, it signifies rainfall onset. As the rainfall continues, the Nimila stars further move to a known position which informs farmers that the rain is about to end. Thus, when Nimila fail to reach an identified position, it signifies that the rain will stop early and it will be a season with scarce rainfall. Study findings in Maluga could not ascertain the use of stones in weather prediction, in contrast to Chibelela village.
The summary of indicators in local, common and scientific names and signs used to signify the presence of rainfall or rainfall scarcity for Maluga are shown in the tables that follow and the glossary in Appendix 6. Table 5.22 describes knowledge on local indicators based on plant phenology and Table 5.23 shows local indicators based on insects. Table 5.24 indicates knowledge on local indicators based on the moon, sun, stars and wind and Table 5.25 shows knowledge of local indicators based on birds.
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Table 5.22: Knowledge of Local Indicators Based on Plant Phenology: Maluga Village Local /Swahili
name
English name Scientific name The sign used to relate to the rain
Mtuundwa Large sourplum Ximenia caffra An abundance of flowering plants fruits from September signifies enough rain.
Mzuu Large-leaved
false thorn
Albizia versicolor Appearance of many flowers and leaves before the rainy season in November indicates imminent rainfall onset.
Miguunga Acacia Acacia tortilis Appearance of many flowers and leaves before the rainy season in November indicates imminent rainfall onset.
Mtamba - - Appearance of many flowers
and leaves before the rain season in November indicates imminent rainfall onset.
Mpogolo Large-leaved dalbergia
Dalbergia boehmii Appearance of many flowers and leaves before the rainy season in November indicates imminent rainfall onset.
Mkrismasi Christmas tree/flamboyant tree
Delonix regia Appearance of many flowers and leaves before the rainy season in November indicates imminent rainfall onset.
Msunzu - - Appearance of many flowers
and leaves before the rainy season in November indicates imminent rainfall onset.
Msaghaa Myrr tree Commiphora sp. Occurrence of many flowers and leaves before the rainy
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season in November indicates imminent rainfall onset.
Milandala - - Occurrence of many flowers
and leaves before the rainy season in November indicates imminent rainfall onset.
Munene Wing pod tree Xeroderris stuhlmanni
Flowering and shedding of leaves signifies imminent rainfall.
Msalumbi - - Fruits ripen when rain is about
to commence.
Mkuyu - - Flowering and shedding of
leaves signifies rainfall onset.
Mbuyu Baobab tree Adansonia digitata Flowering and shedding of leaves signifies rainfall onset.
Mnkola - - Flowering and shedding of
leaves signifies rainfall onset.
Mtulu - - Flowering signifies imminent
rainfall.
Note: A dash (-) sign on the table shows the English and/or scientific name could not be identified (Source: UDSM Botanist 2013).
Table 5.14: Knowledge of Local Indicators Based on Insects and Animals: Maluga Village
Local /Swahili name
English name Scientific name The sign used to relate to the rain
Mlilyanondoo Insect Could not be identified
Its occurrence and noise shows the rain is about to start.
Viwavi Caterpillars/
Host larvae
Melachaka jeseri Their appearance after the rainfall season (January) predicts coming food scarcity.
Jongoo Millipede Various species Appearance on the earth’s
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surface during the expected rainfall season indicates that rain is about to fall.
Senene Grass-green
grasshopper
Hesperotettix sp. Their abundant appearance signifies imminent rainfall and a good year.
Mchwa Termites Ancistrotermes sp. Appearance of termites indicates the beginning of rainfall.
Vyura Frogs -Anura/Pseudacris
sp.
-Various species
-When frogs start to make a lot of noise, it indicates rainfall onset.
-Their continuous noise signifies more rainfall in that season.
Fisi Hyena Crocuta crocuta The noise they make predicts
imminent rainfall.
(Source: Chang’a and Yanda 2010)
Table 5.15: Knowledge of Local Indicators Based on the Moon, Sun, Temperature, Stars and Wind
Local /Swahili name
English name Scientific name The sign used to relate to the rain
Mwezi Moon - - When the moon is
overshadowed by clouds and has a black spot in the middle it means the rainfall is about to come and it will be a good year.
- When the moon is overcrowded by clouds it signifies the rainfall is about to come and predicts a heavy rainfall.
-When the moon is red it predicts high rainfall and when it is white it signifies low rainfall.
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Upepo Wind - When there is a strong wind
moving from east to west in July to September it means no rain.
But when it moves from west to east from September to November it shows that rain is about to come and there will be heavy rainfall.
Vumbi Dust - Moving from south to north
signifies rainfall onset.
Joto/Jua Temperature/
Sun
- High temperatures and strong sun’s rays in September to November predicts the imminent onset of rainfall.
Nimila Stars - The positioning of these stars in
an identified reference point signifies rainfall quantity, its onset and end of rainfall in a season.
(Source: Field Data 2012)
Table 5.16: Knowledge of Local Indicators Based on Birds Local /Swahili
name
English name Scientific name The sign used to relate to the rain
Kinkiingoma (big black)
- - When it makes a certain
distinctive noise before the rainfall onset it indicates imminent rainfall.
Nsigu (small) - - Their appearance signifies
imminent rainfall.
Nkuunguza (black with white stripes)
- - Their appearance in large
numbers predicts enough rain and good harvests.