The area in which we live is known for growing groundnuts
(peanuts). The sandy composition of the
soil makes it ideal. There aren’t enough grown for export; but the Dinka grow
them to eat as well as a cash crop, selling them in town to be transported to other towns in
South Sudan where groundnuts are not grown.
April, May and even June are planting months.
As the rains began, we witnessed a dramatic increase in activity. The soil is dug either by hand or by oxen. Everywhere you turn folks are out clearing ground and planting seed.
Following planting is a time of waiting. The groundnut is hidden
under the soil and the illustration in James 5:7-8 comes to mind, “Be patient,
then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land
to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring
rains. You too, be patient and stand
firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”
Eventually the groundnut plant appears and begins to flower. Suddenly we again see an increase in
activity as weeding begins. As this is all done by hand, you can imagine the amount of time and effort weeding takes. We are not talking about small gardens here, but large fields. With the older children and adult members of the family actively
involved, it takes on a communal air. The very young children and babies stay at home with a designated older
child.
All the hard work pays off in September, October and
November when the plants are pulled from the ground and the nuts are harvested.
Now reward is reaped from all the previous months of work
and patience.
We were blessed to watch a woman giving the first fruits of
her harvest as an offering to the Lord.
What a joy to witness God’s word alive and active in a person’s life.
This one who, in relation to most of us, has nothing, living in a mud hut with
a dirt floor without the things that we consider essential to life such as;
running water, electricity, sanitation, or furniture. Who typically only owns one
or two changes of clothing; this one gives the first of her harvest to the One
who causes all things to grow!
Oh would that all God’s children be found so faithful and
obedient!
Now, what do folks do in South Sudan with these raw groundnuts?
One way to use them is to make maqwanga -- aka peanut butter.
Remember our maqwanga lady from the market? (see Market Re-visited post) Now is the season to make maqwanga at home. This is made by smashing raw peanuts between two stones and rubbing them until they are mostly smooth.
What do we do with raw groundnuts?
Do you remember the post about our visit to Kulu , (see “Trip to Kulu” post ), when we brought stones back for
Malith and his family was so happy? Well, this is what that was all about.
Those stones are used to grind peanuts to make maqwanga at home. (They also
grow and grind sesame seeds into a paste to use in making sauces and season the
dishes they cook.)
We watched this small friend of ours as she recently enjoyed
the efforts her mother put in making maqwanga for her family.
A bowl of groundnuts also came our way as a generous soul
gave us a gift one Sunday morning.
What do we do with raw groundnuts?
Well we
shelled them and roasted them with salt over a charcoal fire. They turned out great --a bit labor intensive,
but worth it!
As you pray for South Sudan, pray for a good harvest both physically and spiritually
among the Dinka in South Sudan. A good
physical harvest will help sustain lives; a good spiritual harvest will reap
lives everlasting!