Traditional Uses of Cyperus Papyrus (L) and Associated Problems at Simiyu Fringing Wetland of Lake Victoria, Mwanza Region, Tanzania
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Traditional Uses of Cyperus Papyrus (L) and Associated Problems at Simiyu Fringing Wetland of Lake Victoria, Mwanza region, Tanzania Josiah M. Katondo National Environment Management Council P.O. Box 63154 Dar Es Salaam Abstract A study was conducted during 1999/2000 period with the view of determining: traditional uses; associated problems; and strategies for sustainable utilization of papyrus around Simiyu wetland fringing Speke Gulf of Lake Victoria, Tanzania. It involved field observations as well as self-administered questionnaire with 23, 39, and 17 mat weavers from Bugabu, Ilungu, and Nsola villages respectively. Results showed the local Sukumas apply traditional and adopted skills for commercial and non-commercial uses of papyrus. Most uses of papyrus are similar to those reported for ancient times in Egypt and elsewhere. Mat making is the main use, where fourteen different sizes of mats are made to satisfy customer preferences. Local Sukumas adopted matting during 1970s from Wajaluo and Wanyara, and this is considered family work as alternative source of income. The main problems include drowning, bites from mosquitoes and leeches, and scares from snakes, crocodiles, and hippopotamuses as well as conflicts among papyrus users themselves, fishermen, farmers and livestock grazers. Keywords: Cyperus papyrus, utilization, problems, conflicts, Lake Victoria Introduction A sedge Cyperus papyrus (L), commonly called papyrus or paper plant is a member of sedge family (Cyperaceae). Papyrus is an aquatic plant that has a woody, blunty triangular stems and grows up to about 15 ft in quietly flowing water up to three feet deep. The stem can grow up to six centimetres in width near the top, while the bottom can portion can be up to six inches in width. The stem is composed of cellulose and lignin which helps maintain the plant structure. The stem has no true pith, instead it has inner cortex with vascular bundles scattered through it. There are also air ducts in the stem to help the plant stay buoyant. The roots are rhizomes and these spread over the water forming floating mat which sometimes break apart allowing the plant to colonise the new area. Papyrus reeds form vast stands in swamps, in shallow lakes, and along stream banks throughout Africa, and it also occurs in Palestine, Jordan River Valley, Sicily and other parts of the Mediterranean basin (Duke, 1983; Burnmeister, 2001). In East Africa, Lind and Morrison (1974) and Denny (1993) noted that wetlands around Lake Victoria support Cyperus papyrus as the main constituent of fringing swamps, where it grows either on waterlogged mud or float. Papyrus and other sedges have high ecological, hydrological, and economic values. Various literatures show that Cyperus papyrus (L) has been very important in the economics of world. It was commercially used since 3600 BC for making papyri (i.e. papers made from papyrus) in Egypt, and later on adopted in Greece, Middle East countries and Roman Empire during the fourth of fifth century BC. It was cultivated for paper until 1100 AD and was used for literary works by Greeks and the Romans until the fifth century AD. The English word paper was derived from the Egyptian ‘papyrus’. Papyrus has also been used to make sandals, fans, fences, huts, boxes, ropes, mats, cloth, 227 medicine, cordage, formal bouquets, funeral garlands, boats, and building materials. The pith and rhizomes were also boiled and eaten, and the rhizomes were dried and used for fuel (Lind and Morrison, 1974; Duke, 1983, Burnmeister, 2001). Recent studies conducted by Kew Botanical Garden (Anonymous1, 2000) further established that papyrus and other sedges are used throughout the tropics for basketry and mat weaving, and in parts of Africa and Asia they are cultivated for such purposes. They are also used for thatching, fencing, rope making, pot pourri and perfumery. Although papyrus was considered extinct and no longer used in Egypt (Lind and Morrison, 1974), recent reports show that the art and industry of making papyrus was revived in 1969, when large plantations were along the banks of Nile and nearby canals were re-introduced using papyrus imported from Ethiopia and Sudan (Michael, 2001). There are a number of papyrus products being made, and these include plain papyrus sheets, paintings, bookmarks, and papyrus colouring book (Solonika, undated). However, papyrus is widely distributed and utilized in central and eastern Africa (Lind and Morrison 1974; Denny (1993). In Uganda, Mafabi (1996) noted that papyrus is used around Lake George in Uganda for roofing material and screens. In Rwanda, papyrus is compressed into fuel briquettes with high calorific values. In Tanzania, preliminary surveys conducted in fringing wetlands of Lake Victoria (Tanzanian side) during February-May 1999 by the author also showed that various local communities use papyrus for social and economic purposes. However, the status of such uses and economic benefits are not well known. It was therefore necessary that baseline information be obtained for use in developing strategies for sustainable utilization and management of papyrus and other wetland resources. The present report is based mainly on the local knowledge of mat weavers, built up over decades of living in an area and using the natural resources. The report provides baseline information on important uses of papyrus, associated problems and perceptions on wise use. This information will help in developing strategies for sustainable utilization and management of papyrus at Simiyu wetland. Objectives and Scope of the Study Objectives The present study aimed at achieving the following specific objectives: (a) To determine traditional uses of papyrus (b) To determine harvesting systems of papyrus and (c) To determine problems and conflicts on utilization of papyrus. Scope of the Study The present study was carried out based on objectives of the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project (LVEMP) and of the Wetlands Management Component. The LVEMP seeks among others, to maximize the socio-economic benefits from using natural resources found within the Lake Basin and to conserve biodiversity. The Wetlands Management Component aims to quantify the economic benefits from 228 wetlands products and devise management strategies for their sustainable utilization as well as to demonstrate their wise use. In order to achieve these objectives, LVEMP identified, among others, the following activities under Sustainable Utilization and Management of Wetlands Products sub- component: (a) to survey extent and intensity of traditional methods of wetland utilization and management systems; (b) establish threats to wetlands; (c) develop strategies for rehabilitation of specific degraded wetlands; (d) develop guidelines for wetland wise use management practices that are compatible with the buffering capacity of wetlands; (e) evolve strategies for community participation in implementation of wise use which are acceptable to government, NGOs and other stakeholders; (f) establish and propose conservation methods/techniques to wetlands; (g) strengthen the capacity of local NGOs and CBOs to undertake wise use activities; (h) formulate strategies for community participation in the implementation of wise-use of wetlands; and (i) to initiate demonstration projects that illustrate wise use and management practices. Study Area Simiyu wetland (Fig 1) is located along Magu and Bugabu Bays, on the southern part of Speke Gulf of Lake Victoria in Magu district, Mwanza region. It extends between 330 23’ 30” – 330 28’ 50” E and 20 30’ 30” – 20 35’ 00”S. The altitude of the swampy area ranges from 1134 to 1137 metres above sea level. The associated floodplains lies within 1143 masl. The wetland is fed mainly by Simiyu River whose tributaries (Simiyu and Duma) originate and drain parts of Shinyanga and Arusha regions. It is also fed by Salamida and Ilungu streams that discharge into Bugabu Bay. The wetland is bordered by Masanza, Nsola and Bubinza villages to the east; Itumbili, Magu and Ilungu to the south; and Bugabu village to the west. According to Katondo et al (2001, unpublished), Simiyu wetland comprises of a diversity of habitats, including swampy area, rivers, ponds, floodplains, grassland, bushland, and rivers. The swampy area is dominated by Cyperus papyrus, and is associated by ferns, grasses, sedges, reeds, cattails and other plant species. The floodplains and drawdowns are used for agricultural purposes. Methodology A combination of social and field observation methods were used in gathering data. The questionnaire used was designed after preliminary interviews with local stakeholders during the period January-June 2000. Common ideas were gathered, target group identified (i.e. mat makers) and appropriate period for data collection decided as July- August 2000. At these months, most mat weavers are mainly engaged in mat making and are readily available for interviews. The questionnaire surveys were mainly self-administered, and involved local mat makers. Village leaders provided information on status of ethnic groups, administration, and population. Questionnaires were distributed to villages having many mat makers, i.e. Bugabu (23 datasheets), Ilungu (38), and Nsola (17) villages. Respondents having different ages groups (24 to 74 years), education, and experience on status of the 229 resource, were allowed to complete the questionnaire on their own, though in some cases Research Assistants assisted some respondents in filling the forms by interviewing them