The preservation of Indigenous Knowledge: A study of some useful linguistic terms utilised in the processing of traditional marula (mukumbi) in the south-eastern parts of Masvingo Province

Abstract

Traditional indigenous knowledge has remained the most untapped, a form of intangible heritage owned by most rural people in Zimbabwe. Traditional Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKSs) can easily become a source of wealth, as they provide useful linguistic knowledge when we look at the terms utilised during the production of marula (mukumbi) in many rural communities of the south-eastern parts of Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe. The primary focus of this paper is to explore the linguistic terms utilised in the discourses of the processing of traditional marula, to preserve indigenous knowledge. Traditional marula is known in the Shona language as mukumbi, which is made from ripe marula fruits. In Shona, the fruit tree is known as mupfura. The fruits are treated by many rural people as a source of a health energy drink and alcohol. The traditional marula brew captures rich linguistic terminologies that are crucial in the formation of an identity by the people of the south-eastern parts of Masvingo Province. These are critical in defining the people’s historical heritage and rich cultural beliefs and customs. This paper is couched in the theoretical framework of Discourse Analysis, in which the primary goal is to explicitly study how language is used in different practical communicative events, demonstrating performative actions. Data for the study were collected qualitatively using in-depth interviews and observations, which helped the researchers to collect raw data from experienced people in their natural settings. A sample of 15 women was purposively selected from which to collect the data for this study. In our findings, we came up with a collection of many linguistic terms utilised by the people of the south-eastern parts of Masvingo during the processing of traditional marula. Our study recommends that the production of traditional marula should be done on a larger scale, emphasising the linguistic terminologies the locals use during marula processing, for the preservation of indigenous knowledge so that it can be passed on to future generations.