Publish at August 07 2024 Updated August 07 2024
In this age of technological advances and globalization, the environment is taking a serious beating. Pollution is spreading, and we urgently need to find strategies to limit the damage, including reconnecting with traditional knowledge such as the use of banana leaves in clothing and cooking. This article looks at how we can do just that.
Bananas are best known for their fruit, but their leaves are just as important to human health. According to Raymond DZAKPATA, they contain over 40 useful compounds, including corrosal and ellagic acids. The former is said to reduce blood sugar levels. For centuries in African culture, they have been used in a number of areas, notably in gastronomy and clothing: ecological uses that should be revived.
In West and Central Africa, banana leaves have almost always been used to wrap food before and after cooking. Examples of dishes wrapped before cooking include cassava sticks and "koki" (corned beef cake). After cooking, we immediately think of corn couscous and taro (a dish that is well-known not only in Cameroon but internationally). Older women, custodians of African cultural heritage, have always claimed that wrapping them in this way adds a special flavor to the meal.
Unfortunately, there has been a change of habit that is having a significant ecological impact: plastic packaging is replacing them. After use, these wrappings are simply thrown away without being recycled. This trend is largely due to the scarcity of these leaves in big cities. Worse still, at a certain temperature, the plastic sheets melt and mix with the meal: a danger to human health.
The clothing sector is not left out. Banana leaves also play a significant role in the clothing industry. They are more environmentally friendly, as they are easily biodegradable after use. In this vein, Solange Nana has revolutionized the clothing industry by starting to produce garments using banana leaves. In the same vein, Ombeni is engaged in the creation of garments based on dried banana leaves, which has enabled it to make a name for itself in the commune of South Kivu. All the above points to the need to return to these cultural practices to ensure a better future for our planet.
In the world of fashion, emphasis is often placed on creativity and the ability to propose original works. With this in mind, it's possible to be original with collections based on banana leaves and at the same time ensure respect for the environment.
From the arguments set out above, it's clear that banana leaves are good for people. In this respect, two main actions need to be combined. Firstly, it would be urgent to reforest with banana plants. If this action is carried out on a broad scale, it will be possible to exploit them for food and clothing needs. The second action would simply be to raise awareness of their ecological use, especially among African families. By doing this on a regular basis, the situation could change.
All in all, this reflection brings to mind an inspiring quote by Marshall Mc Luhan on the environment: "There are no passengers on the ship Earth. We are all members of the crew." Everyone should take responsibility, especially by focusing on the use of banana leaves in gastronomy and clothing.
Illustration: Kulischreiber pixabay
Sources
Abdel OZIH, 2023 "Banana leaves: regulating blood sugar and treating obesity
Sante-Education - Article - Banana leaves: regulating blood sugar and treating obesity
Grégoire Lorca, "50 inspirational quotes on ecology: it's time to take up the challenge"
50 inspirational quotes on ecology: it's time to take up the challenge! | DEFI-Écologique : le blog (defi-ecologique.com)
2015, "Cameroon, when banana leaves serve fashion
Cameroon, when banana leaves serve fashion (aa.com.tr)
Camerdish, "Koki (Cornel cake)" Koki (Cornel cake) - Camerdish
Sasuke, 2019, "Banana leaves: banana leaves, a natural health remedy
Banana leaves: banana leaves, a natural health remedy - Bamada.net
Ombeni, decided to create her own brand of clothing made from banana leaves
https://www.facebook.com/Afropreneuriat/posts/ombeni-le-jeune-sapeur-de-la-ville-de-bukavu-en-province-du-sud-kivu-a-d%C3%A9cid%C3%A9-de/915352772170296/
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