Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage at Hillside Dams Conservancy in Bulawayo
By Hillside Dams Contributor
This year’s wetlands theme, “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage,” reminds us that conservation did not begin with modern policies. It began with our culture.
As I reflected on this theme, I was struck by how Indigenous Knowledge Systems quietly shaped environmental stewardship long before formal science. Among Bantu communities, knowledge was not written in books but carried through language, proverbs, taboos, and daily practices.
Through oral tradition, generations learned how to read nature by observing bird movements, water levels, insect patterns, and seasonal shifts. These signs guided when to farm, fish, or harvest resources, ensuring ecosystems were not overused.
One Ndebele proverb captures this wisdom:
“Ukuzidonsela amanzi ngomsele,” loosely meaning to invite trouble into your life.
It comes from the understanding that draining wetlands for irrigation disturbs nature’s balance. Communities knew that interfering with wetlands could lead to poor harvests and long-term damage. Without scientific textbooks, they understood ecological consequences.
Sacred sites and groves also protected wetlands. By assigning spiritual and cultural value to certain areas, communities prevented overexploitation and allowed biodiversity to thrive.
Traditional agricultural practices such as crop rotation, agroforestry, and the use of natural manure maintained soil fertility while protecting water systems. Sustainability was not a new concept. It was embedded in daily life.
Today, as we reflect on this theme, we are reminded that our heritage holds solutions to modern environmental challenges.
At Hillside Dams Conservancy (HDC), we embrace this connection between culture and conservation. As a heritage site, HDC is not only preserving indigenous forests and rehabilitating wetlands. It is also preserving the wisdom that teaches us how to live in harmony with them.
Because when we protect our wetlands, we protect both our environment and our identity.
What cultural traditions do you know that encourage conservation of our natural resources.
