wisdom
A good year is one of plentiful rain, which nourishes the great community of life from its earthly foundation. As the land turns from gold to vibrant green, new existence comes into view. The emergence of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) in spring is seen by the Tsonga and Shangaan people of southern Africa as a good omen. Here, they are a necessity for daily life; but to many around the world, it’s their beauty that stands out. The more we understand them, the more clearly we see that their function and form are just different ways of recognising the same importance. Mopane caterpillars (Gonimbrasia belina) are an important food source amongst the indigenous peoples of South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. Incredibly rich in protein, they’re typically par- cooked and dried for preservation, and brought to life in times of need and celebration by
cooking them with spices and other aromatics; grinding them into a fine powder and mixing them with maize into a porridge; or rehydrating and snacking on them directly. Gathered and sold in local markets, they’re also a means for people to build livelihoods and educate their children – both a sign of a healthy ecosystem and socio-economic well-being amongst communities that live in relationship with Africa’s wild spaces. Plump and vibrant when alive, mopane caterpillars are a smattering of colours and features. Their segmented bodies move gently, like tiny beads strung together, and fine hairs brush the air as they inch along, a defence against predators. Small and humble in size at the start of their lives, they eventually metamorphose into the magnificent Mopane emperor moth, whose dusty reddish-brown wings echo the sandstone canvases of ancient rock art. Two striking yellow spots, like eyes, on their wings make them unforgettable.
Previous spread From birth to death, life continually evolves – both in function and in form. Left Size has no bearing on importance or impact.
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