The Baobab Tree of Zimbabwe

In Africa amongst many of the tribal people who live within the proximity of this magnificent tree, there is a common myth about it's origins.

It is as old as time and there is no way of substantiating it as it has been handed down as folklore and there is no written record. So either you believe it or you don't.

Personally, I find it quaint and can imagine it told as a story to quell children's fears when they heard the terrible sound of the Hyena's cackle.

Legend has it that God gave the Hyena the job of planting the baobab. However the Hyena is a coward, lazy and not to bright, consequently it planted it back to front. Or roots in the air.

I have heard this story told often and following it's telling, is always accompanied by great mirth.

Elephants love the fruit and are often seen looking for it, if you get so lucky as to be in an area where they still roam freely.

The indigenous people also use it as a vegetable to spice up their main staple diet. In Zimbabwe if you are driving towards Beit Bridge you will often come across children trying to sell the fruit to augment their living.

I often used to stop and buy it, not that I enjoyed the taste. It was too dry for me but principally because I wanted the seed to try and plant in my own garden at home. Sadly no matter how many times I did it they never took. Most likely because it had too much moisture in the soil.

They really are splendid trees and can be very large depending on their age. They are not really tall but mostly squat which makes people think of them as ugly. Furthermore, in almost all them they have a hollow in the base. Believe it or not the entrance to this is surprisingly similar to the door of a house and in days of yore you could sleep your family in them no problem.

Moreover, at the top of the tree ( where the branches begin to root out), there is another hollow and you can often find rainwater stored in there. So not only could you have a place for your family to sleep but you could provide them with water as well, in very arid areas and depending on the season even some fruit to eat.

Well there you have it. I'm left wondering what your thoughts are on this most unusual tree?.

I wonder how many times it brought people refuge and perhaps saved their lives eons ago?. I wonder if any of you have ever seen the tree?. I wonder if it still provides refuge to lost souls?. I wonder if it will survive climate change?.

Please feel free to join in the duel and also any comments you might wish to leave.

Thanking you in anticipation.

Pictures courtesy of Flickr