Difference between revisions of "Tavy"

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(Created page with 'The word '''tavy''' stands for the slash and burn agriculture in Madagascar. Tavy literally means "the fields so cultivated".')
 
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The word '''tavy''' stands for the slash and burn agriculture in Madagascar. Tavy literally means "the fields so cultivated".
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'''The word '''tavy''' stands for the slash and burn agriculture practised in Madagascar. Tavy literally means "the fields so cultivated".'''
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Tavy is a traditional Malagasy farming method to clear forest land for farming land. Unfortunately the so won land can be cultivated only for a limited time and the farmers are forced to clear more land. There, where no trees are left, rain cannot sink into the earth. The consequence is erosion, washing the red earth into the rivers and making them "bleed". Although it is raining, the land will slowly dry out.
 +
 
 +
Madagascar has a very rich fauna and flora and many species are endemic, meaning they grow/live only on this island. Due to slash and burn, more and more forests disappear and therefore many species face extinction.
 +
 
 +
[[Razia Said]], a Malagasy singer and songwriter, brings with her music the subject of "tavy" and its consequences to the ears of the world. Incomes from the selling of her album [[Zebu Nation]] are partly used on reforesting programs in Madagascar, especially in the [[Masoala]] region.
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'''Slash and Burn, by Razi Said'''
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 +
One day in May<br>
 +
it was a beautiful day<br>
 +
I felt so alone<br>
 +
when the sky opened up<br>
 +
and changed to charcoal grey
 +
 
 +
One day in May<br>
 +
just like any day<br>
 +
it chilled in my bones<br>
 +
when I heard you say<br>
 +
that the hills have burned away
 +
 
 +
Slash and burn<br>
 +
slash and burn<br>
 +
nowhere left to hide
 +
 
 +
On the mountain side<br>
 +
still the children play<br>
 +
things feel the same way<br>
 +
but something is gone<br>
 +
it's all gone up in smoke
 +
 
 +
This is our day<br>
 +
and this is our land<br>
 +
not just to abuse<br>
 +
let's not give up and say
 +
 
 +
Slash and burn<br>
 +
slash and burn<br>
 +
a slow death in disguise
 +
 
 +
Down on my knees<br>
 +
tears in my voice<br>
 +
where are the trees<br>
 +
watch the rivers bleed<br>
 +
listen to them cry
 +
 
 +
Don't we have a choice
 +
 
 +
Slash and burn<br>
 +
it wasn't meant to be
 +
 
 +
Who could have said<br>
 +
what have we done<br>
 +
this is our day<br>
 +
and this is our land<br>
 +
what will tomorrow say<br>
 +
this is our place<br>
 +
and this our time<br>
 +
this our land<br>
 +
and this is our home<br>
 +
this is our day<br>
 +
what will tomorrow say<br>
 +
slash and burn<br>
 +
slash and burn<br>
 +
this is our way
 +
 
 +
Don't we have a choice<br>
 +
slash and burn
 +
 
 +
Think of the universe<br>
 +
think of the world<br>
 +
think of your people<br>
 +
think of ourselves<br>
 +
think of our children<br>
 +
think of the generations to come
 +
 
 +
Don't we have a choice<br>

Revision as of 22:31, 5 February 2012

The word tavy stands for the slash and burn agriculture practised in Madagascar. Tavy literally means "the fields so cultivated".

Tavy is a traditional Malagasy farming method to clear forest land for farming land. Unfortunately the so won land can be cultivated only for a limited time and the farmers are forced to clear more land. There, where no trees are left, rain cannot sink into the earth. The consequence is erosion, washing the red earth into the rivers and making them "bleed". Although it is raining, the land will slowly dry out.

Madagascar has a very rich fauna and flora and many species are endemic, meaning they grow/live only on this island. Due to slash and burn, more and more forests disappear and therefore many species face extinction.

Razia Said, a Malagasy singer and songwriter, brings with her music the subject of "tavy" and its consequences to the ears of the world. Incomes from the selling of her album Zebu Nation are partly used on reforesting programs in Madagascar, especially in the Masoala region.


Slash and Burn, by Razi Said

One day in May
it was a beautiful day
I felt so alone
when the sky opened up
and changed to charcoal grey

One day in May
just like any day
it chilled in my bones
when I heard you say
that the hills have burned away

Slash and burn
slash and burn
nowhere left to hide

On the mountain side
still the children play
things feel the same way
but something is gone
it's all gone up in smoke

This is our day
and this is our land
not just to abuse
let's not give up and say

Slash and burn
slash and burn
a slow death in disguise

Down on my knees
tears in my voice
where are the trees
watch the rivers bleed
listen to them cry

Don't we have a choice

Slash and burn
it wasn't meant to be

Who could have said
what have we done
this is our day
and this is our land
what will tomorrow say
this is our place
and this our time
this our land
and this is our home
this is our day
what will tomorrow say
slash and burn
slash and burn
this is our way

Don't we have a choice
slash and burn

Think of the universe
think of the world
think of your people
think of ourselves
think of our children
think of the generations to come

Don't we have a choice