“Mango Tree in Bloom”
The mango tree is now my favorite tree following my introduction to them in Ghana. The panicle photographed has the potential to grow a mango from each of its flowers. Most only grow 1-3, but seeing the tiny mangos and knowing it could reach full fruit is breathtaking.
Previously, I indulged in mangoes abundantly, but had no clue where it came from. Sure the tag said, “Mexico” or “Florida,” but meeting the tree in this photographed stage put it into a better perspective.
My host had a Mango and an Avocado tree growing in the neighbor's backyard. The branches stretched and occasionally dropped fruit in our yard. I was able to collect one of each that had fallen during my 2-week stay.
I love the act of harvest to mouth. It's revolutionary to me to be able to cut out the middle man, the mileage and the carbon footprint, and just eat directly from the Earth. It tastes different when you're the first and last hands to touch it, and way more different when you've met and bonded with the source.
The difference between where the tree was rooted at and where the fruit dropped should be mentioned as well.
Where I stayed, there was power, it was a 4-story, modern day building with plumbing, a security guard and little to no vegetation outside the gate.
Where the Mango tree and Avocado tree was rooted was lit by fires at night. With chickens roaming the street and homes made of fixing together different sheet metal.
A stark difference, considering they had food in abundance. These tree’s were HUGE… whereas I had to go to the store for eggs, and the rest of my fruit needs.
A gentle reminder on how a more simpler life could be more abundant if you shift your perspective.
“The Neem Tree”
The Neem tree was my 2nd favorite tree that I met for the first time in Ghana.
Tall, slender and glowing of vibrant green leaves with golden undertones was a sight to see.
This tree was abundant in Accra, but that didn't make it less special.
Carrying a host of benefits like, being a pesticide for your garden’s relief, a spermicide for birth control, anti-fungal for skin care needs, plus its has immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic, antiulcer, antimalarial, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties. This tree is a powerhouse.
My only regret is that I did not harvest any because I was distracted while admiring and capturing its beauty every-time i met a new one.
“Processing the Neem Leaves”
A day trip to visit the “Door of Return” (aka “The Door of No Return”) in Cape Coast, Ghana turned into a gathering of history, Black pride, a lovely view of the Gulf of Guinea and a friend gifting my host 2 bags full of Moringa Leaves and Neem Leaves during our dinner.
The ride from our home in Accra to Cape Coast was about 3-4 -hours. The views on our ride were lovely, concerning and magical at the same time.
Following the day's adventure, we made it home, very late at night but with spirits full of togetherness, a deeper sense of love for our people and their resiliency, and new songs to add to our playlist.
My host laid out the moringa and neem leaves when she got home. The leaves sat on a drying rack under the Ghanaian sun for a good week.
It was a pleasure to watch them shribble up and turn into medicine through the alchemy of the sunshine and air.
I looked at them daily until it was time to process. I found her stemming and placed them in bowls one rising.
I joined in on the processing and conversation on their many benefits. Then I remembered that I was a photographer!
This was the first time during that trip that spirit called me to document. The results were lovely and allowed me to discover my concentration with my camera.
To bring nature, nationally and internationally to viewers like you. In order to make the world and its natural medicine that much closer to home.
