OMG Digital Magazine OMG Issue 265 29th June 2017 | Page 47

OMG Digital Magazine | 265 | Thursday 29th June 2017 • PAGE 47
A HISTORY LESSON
FOR TOBAGO
PROTECTION FOR
TREE OF LIFE
It’s called the African Baobab
tree, the Guinea Tamarind, or,
scientifically, Adansonia digitate.
And it was the subject of a lecture
earlier this month to commemorate
World Environment Day.
The tree is known for its medicinal
properties, and as a valuable source
of food. In fact, it’s produce is
considered a superfruit—having
more calcium than milk, and more
vitamins, minerals and protein than
everyday fruit.
Did you know that during the 17th century,
there were more than 14 attempts to colonise
Tobago, which were repelled by indigenous
residents? Or that these inhabitants are
responsible for several crops used today on
the island, including cassava, cotton and
calabashes?
These were just two of the historical facts
presented by Dr. Rita Pemberton during her
lecture on Tobago’s history recently at the
Scarborough Library. Dr. Pemberton said
Tobago also had a central role in trade in the
region for the Amerindians, which moved
from South America, up the Caribbean islands
and back.
Assistant Secretary in the Division of
Education, Innovation and Energy Marisha
Osmond lauded the initiative, saying history
is very important to the island today, and will
ensure the young have a “great foundation”.
“History reminds us not only of what is in
the past, but it guides what happens now
and in the future. So history has much, much
relevance,” Osmond said.
Assistant conservator of forests William Trim said
the Baobab trees identified in Tobago are being
protected. “This tree is so valuable, what we’re doing
is geolocating the species using GPS and [giving] the
coordinates where they are so we can keep tabs on
them,” Trim explained. “Another thing that we did,
if they have bush or plants around them, weeds, we
arranged to clean them.”
In Africa, the trees are also used for clothing, as a
water store during the dry season, and is known to be
resilient, even in dry conditions. In fact, it’s said the
African Baobab can live for more than five thousand
years.
FOCUS: A competitor surges to the finish in
the Girls 9-10 breaststroke category during
the Developmental Swim Meet and Gala event
held at the Kendal Aquatic Facility on June 9,
2017. The event was part of the schools Learn
to Swim programme in Tobago.