Join us as we embark on a rich journey into the heart of Tharakan culture with Simon Mitambo, an Earth Jurisprudence Practitioner and co-founder of the Society for Alternative Learning and Transformation (SALT). Simon, a proud Tharakan man and ancestral wisdom expert, has dedicated his life to restoring the cultural and ecological resilience of his community.

In this episode, recorded at the Bantu Mountain Lodge during the Global Tapestry of Alternatives General Assembly, Simon takes us through the remarkable landscape of his ancestral land, nestled in the foothills of Mount Kenya. His community of Tharaka, with its rich red soil and abundance, continues to flourish through the revival of cultural practices, eco-cultural mapping, and deep-rooted community dialogues.

Simon describes how his community’s knowledge of local medicinal plants and traditional practices sustained them through the challenges of COVID-19. In the podcast, you'll also hear the warm and unforgettable welcome we received from Simon's community, in the form of exciting songs and dances & a nourishing millet porridge served in carved calabashes.

Simon’s voice brings to life the resilience, wisdom, and generosity that are foundational to Tharakan culture. His dedication to nurturing these practices is an inspiring testament to the power of ancestral knowledge. Tune in for an episode that weaves together stories of land stewardship, cultural memory, and the undeniable force of community.

Tune into this week’s episode as we dive into the heart of seed sovereignty and indigenous resilience with Talaa, also known as Milka Chepkorir Kuto. Talaa and her sisters, based near Kitale in Kenya, are working on an inspiring project to revive native seed varieties and establish community-driven plant nurseries—a beautiful act of resistance against the corporate grip on Kenya’s seed market.

Milka’s home, surrounded by lush palms and papayas, feels like a sanctuary. But the reality she shares is far from idyllic: over 80% of Kenya’s maize seeds come from the Kenyan Seed Company, a major GM player that has overtaken traditional farming practices. In our conversation, Talaa reflects on this struggle and the impact of what activist Leonida Odongo calls a “new colonization” through agricultural control and technology. Talaa’s words, grounded in her community’s fight for seed sovereignty, underscore a powerful truth: reclaiming indigenous practices is an act of defiance and hope.

As you listen, you’ll meet Milka’s sisters and hear their voices as they share their vision for a sustainable, resilient future. This episode is a testament to the power of community, sisterhood, and the deep roots of cultural identity in the face of adversity. Tune in for an uplifting journey into food sovereignty and the enduring spirit of indigenous knowledge.

Watch the full subtitled episode with a visual creation here

In this powerful inaugural episode of our new series "The Patchwork of Belonging", we journey through Morocco’s Al Haouz region, where communities are still grappling with the devastating impacts of the 2023 earthquake that struck the region, cause unfathomable damage. This catastrophe has left a once-marginalized region even more exposed to vulnerability.

Life in the Orchards offers a moving glimpse into the lives of those processing unimaginable loss. Through heartfelt testimonies, this episode captures the deep connection people hold with their ancestral lands—a bond that remains unbroken despite losing homes, livestock, crops, and even loved ones. It is a story of resilience and love for a land that has given so much and taken so much in return.

Join us as we listen to these voices, bearing witness to the intimate, layered and complex relationship between people and the landscapes they inhabit, one that transcends the material and delves into the spiritual and cultural roots of place.