A group of children of varying ages yesterday had the opportunity to partake in several activities centred on the use of the soursop as a fruit and for its medicinal properties, as part of the programme organised to commemorate African Medicine Day.
As declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO), August 31 is dedicated annually towards African Medicines, with the aim of promoting the important role of Africa’s rich biodiversity of medicinal plants and herbs in improving well-being.
To mark the occasion this year, the Seychelles National Heritage Resource Council (SNHRC) and the National Museum of History have organised numerous activities, including yesterday’s exhibition and cooking sessions, held at the Domaine de Val des Près.
With the support of experienced senior citizens, the children actively engaged in the preparation of various soursop-based recipes, namely, juice, salad, jam as well as the much-loved dessert ladob, all prepared the traditional way.
In addition to the cooking session, they were also first to view the exhibition on the medicinal uses of the fruit, and the properties which are beneficial to overall health.
Principal Heritage Officer of the SNHRC, Berthilda Walter, noted that the Heritage Research and Dissemination section decided to mount the first exhibition in 2019 to shed light and encourage the use of medicinal plants in Seychelles, especially among the younger generations.
“In the past we focused mainly on the medicinal aspects and benefits of these plants, but from 2019 we decided to also focus on the edible uses of the plants and fruits. Today’s activity features the exhibition, as well as, in line with our main strategic objective, to ensure the transmission of knowledge from the older generations to our youths,” Ms Walter said.
“It is a shame that we often observe that children do not know our culture and traditions. This is our objective, to pass on the knowledge to them, which will definitely be useful to them in future,” Ms Walter stated.
Soursop, locally known as korsol, is a plant which bears an edible fruit that is high in vitamin C, an antioxidant known to boost immune health. Rich in vitamins and fibre, it is rich in antioxidant compounds, which keep free radicals in check and help fight inflammation.
Aside from the fruit, the leaves and bark of the plant are also instrumental in traditional medicines not only locally, but across the globe. In particular, the overall plant is hailed for its anti-cancer properties.
In a bid to ensure that the information reaches as wide an audience as possible, the exhibition is to also take place at the National Museum of History on Friday. The museum, one of the main attractions in Victoria, is to soon have its own medicinal garden, with the official opening set for the day as well.
Jerina Pothin, one of the elderly citizens who assists and offers her support to the Council in activities organised for children, says she is happy to have a means to contribute towards the younger generations what she knows, and the various skills she has developed throughout her life.
“At my age, I am pleased to have the chance to show the kids of today how we did things in the old days, how we lived and how we had to be as self-sustaining as possible. Working with them, is also an opportunity to also pass on values, morals, and to influence them towards taking a positive route in their lives,” Mrs Pothin stated.
Over the school holidays, the division hosted a number of transmission activities, engaging the children in sewing, carpet-making, and other traditional artisanal crafts, also with the support of senior citizens, the products of which were also on display yesterday.
In a bid to determine how effective the SNHRC has been in transmitting the know-how of our forefathers, the council intends to organise further events such as competitions.
The accompanying photos show some highlights of the activities yesterday at the Domaine de Val des Près.
Source: Seychelles Nation