Exploring Lessons on Re-generative Living with a Community of Practice in South Africa and Indonesia

The two case studies are of forest communities in Venda in South Africa and Ciptagelar, West Java discussed in terms of their social, environmental and economic approaches. In both cases, the communities see themselves as related to nature, in the case of Venda, they express this as a totemic relationship and have been inspired to apply an ecological calendar which was taught to them during the time Mphatheleni Makaulule spent learning from Amazonian leaders. In the case of Ciptagelar, the nomadic way of life is based on a sense of being stewards who do not commodify rice, a sacred source of life, which is in turn dependent upon all the co-existent creatures and ultimately the forest which is their home. In both communities the environment and people are priorities managed by observing the natural cycle. In both communities an ecological calendar guides the planning and harvesting of crops. In Tshidzivhe, Venda a rigorous approach to crops, harvesting from the forest and re-planting the forest is observed and the entire community act as caretakers and are required to ask permission before harvesting from the forest. In Ciptagelar, West Java the chief reads the signs when it is time to move to another area and follows a careful approach to biodiversity ensuring that paddy is grown only for certain months so that other creatures can thrive in other months… Our research is based on a community of practice spanning NGOs, community projects and university departments. We work together because of shared values and mutual respect.