Chapter 53
Chapter 53: Potato Planting
On December 16, 1866, in Karatu, the capital of the northern plateau region of the East African colonies, Ernst and the immigrants continued their efforts to transform this untamed land into a productive agricultural settlement. The region was adjacent to the famous Serengeti prairie, known for its remarkable wildlife.
In these early days of colonization, most areas in the East African colonies, apart from the upper coastal region, were still the domain of wild beasts. Even the indigenous people, despite their relatively large population compared to the immigrants, lived modestly by hunting. Their lives were simple; they hunted, celebrated with song and dance, and had no worries about tomorrow's food supply, thanks to the abundance of wildlife.
However, the immigrants who arrived in East Africa were farmers at heart, influenced by thousands of years of agricultural traditions. They believed in hard work and the pursuit of prosperity. They couldn't adopt the carefree attitude of the indigenous people, who lived for the present without needing to think about the future.
Human concepts and behaviors are shaped by their social environments. The indigenous people thrived in Africa's primitive tribal systems, where they adapted to their surroundings. Yet, when faced with more advanced social systems, they often struggled.
Throughout human history, the ability to cultivate and farm has been crucial for survival, whether in the arid deserts of Egypt or the fertile plains of Europe. Leaving Africa millions of years ago, humans learned to farm and build civilizations. However, when Europeans returned to Africa, they had a devastating impact on the indigenous tribes.
The immigrants to East Africa faced the daunting task of clearing the land of both beasts and hostile indigenous tribes. To prevent attacks, immigration was carried out as a collective effort, ensuring the safety of all settlers.
Karatu's landscape was characterized by lush vegetation, but during the dry season, it turned yellow and withered. Immigrants, armed with fire, first burned away the dry vegetation, leaving a layer of ash. Then, using shovels and hoes, they cleared the plant roots from the soil, revealing the light red earth beneath. The contrast between the bright red soil of the settlements and the surrounding yellow vegetation created a stark, almost depressing, landscape.
Karatu had relatively low precipitation, and because of its high altitude and cooler temperatures, the immigrants chose potatoes as their primary crop. Potatoes were an ideal choice for this climate, as they thrived in cooler conditions and loose, slightly acidic soil. The abundant sunlight and thinner atmosphere in the plateau region were also optimal for crop growth.
Karatu's potato planting process involved turning over the soil, creating ridges, and planting germinated potato stems at appropriate intervals. The settlers sprinkled fertilizer to nourish the crops.
In addition to potatoes, Karatu also focused on sisal as a cash crop. The region's rich forest resources supported the construction of settlements, as houses were primarily built using wooden structures. This also facilitated the construction of production tools such as waterwheels and windmill millstones.
The immigrants had not yet ventured into the interior of the Rogorongoro Mountains, as their efforts were concentrated in the southeast of the region. Meanwhile, the northwest of the northern plateau, including the Serengeti grassland, remained largely untouched by the East African colonial forces.
To the west lay the Great Lakes District, with a substantial immigrant population. Although no natural barriers separated the Great Lakes District from the Serengeti grassland, it was decided not to develop the Serengeti due to the challenges posed by its abundant and diverse wildlife.
The Serengeti remained a pristine wilderness, a sanctuary for wild animals in East Africa, while the East African colonies continued their expansion northward and westward in search of arable land and resources.
(End of Chapter 53)