The indigenous holistic use of Luranga by the Vhavenḓa communities of Vhembe District, Limpopo Province

Abstract

The study explored the holistic indigenous uses of Luranga. Luranga is one of the indigenous important crops that are used by the Vhavenḓa communities as a source of food sincesince time immemorial. This plant (Luranga) plays a role on food security and food sovereignty in Venḓa communities. However, it appears that the plant is no longer being utilised. Although there are many studies on Luranga (cucurbit), its indigenous interplay uses have not been explored. A qualitative methodology approach on purposive snowball sampling method was employed in this study. The unstructured interviews were conducted with eleven indigenous knowledge holders and two focus groups comprising five and seven participants. Interviews involved exploration of views, experiences, and beliefs of participants towards Luranga. The findings of the study show that Phuri and Muphapha are species of Lunga and they are used in different ways by VhaVhenda.The exploration exposed the interrelated functions of Luranga ; they provide nourishment, material products, including the ecological course, as well as forspiritual and psychological identity particularly associated with womanhood identification. Luranga can also be commercilisedThe study recommends the need torrevivetraditional cultivation methods of muphapha as one of the forgotten species and encourage people to consume Phuri (pepo) as it is nutritious.