Choir protects indigenous seeds in Nakuru areaCEFR B1
10 May 2025
Adapted from Minority Africa, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Lisah Malika, Unsplash
The choir was founded by Francis Ngiri, a 60-year-old agroecologist, farmer and songwriter who began weekly rehearsals after realising many indigenous seeds were disappearing in 2024. The group started with 20 members aged 25 to 81 and later had 12; two long-standing members are Lucia Wambui Kuria and Rose Wanjiru, and Grace Rosa Wanjiru is another founding member who has performed publicly and attended training workshops.
The choir has recorded six songs in Swahili and Kikuyu. Seed Savers Network Kenya paid for studio costs in Nakuru city. The group also founded the Eden Seed Bank, which stores 144 indigenous seed varieties. Short-term seeds are kept in water-tight bottles, while some seeds such as maize are smoked or mixed with ashes for long-term storage.
Received seeds are sorted, moisture-tested and given a germination test; only seeds that reach 80 percent growth are kept and then stored with ashes or silica gel. The choir hopes its songs will inspire farmers and influence government policy on seeds.
Difficult words
- agroecologist — a scientist who studies farming and ecosystems
- indigenous — naturally from a particular place or region
- seed bank — a place where seeds are kept for future useEden Seed Bank
- germination — the process when a seed begins to grow
- variety — a different type within the same speciesvarieties
- silica gel — a dry material that absorbs moisture from things
- rehearsal — a practice session before a public performancerehearsals
- influence — to affect or change someone or something
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could the choir's songs encourage farmers to save and use indigenous seeds?
- Would you support a local seed bank in your area? Why or why not?
- What other ways could the group try to influence government policy on seeds?
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