Groundnuts

Groundnuts are another crop introduced by the Belgian administration and imposed, for their food value, upon the Banyarwanda. Now that such administrative pressure no longer exists, many of the people of Remera have abandoned this crop, or have at least greatly reduced its cultivation.

Squash and calabashes

The squash grown in Remera are rather capricious. They seem to require just the right amount of humidity and this might be the reason why they are not systematically cultivated. Strangely enough, it is the squash seeds that seem to be most appreciated as food. The flesh is often given to the chickens. There are several varieties and they are, by the author’s standards, ail excellent to the taste.

Squash are sown in unused space about the rugo, or under a full-grown banana plantation, as a ground crop. No care is taken of them. They take a long time to grow and are usually sown in September and October. They are harvested during the longer rainy season, if they survive the short drought between December and January.

In the category of squash may also be included the calabashes which are not eaten, but which are grown and cured for use as containers. They are sown in the same way as squash and different varieties yield different shapes and sizes.

Potatoes, °onions, cabbage, tomatoes

“European” crops such as these are sown only incidentally, sometimes for variety in the local diet, or with the intention of selling them to Europeans.

Peppers and relishes

There are a number of native plants such as red peppers and some leafy plants, which are sown incidentally near the rugo or in banana plantations. They are numerous enough, but not abundant. They are added to the boiled meals of plantain and beans for seasoning.

https://uk.amateka.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ratatou.pnghttps://uk.amateka.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/ratatou-150x150.pngBarataModel CitizenshipGroundnuts Groundnuts are another crop introduced by the Belgian administration and imposed, for their food value, upon the Banyarwanda. Now that such administrative pressure no longer exists, many of the people of Remera have abandoned this crop, or have at least greatly reduced its cultivation. Squash and calabashes The squash...AMATEKA