Watermelons in the Sand of Sahara: Cultivation and use of indigenous landraces in the Tombouctou Region of Mali

Abstract Watermelon ( Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) is mainly cultivated worldwide for its dessert type, sweet, red flesh fruits. Other types with white flesh are cultivated for their seeds more locally in some parts of the world. The cultivation and use of these watermelons are less documented than the dessert type watermelons. This photo essay describes and documents watermelon production and processing of seeds of indigenous, white flesh watermelons in the Tombouctou region of Mali. The crop is grown in sandy soils in the desert, relying on a short period of rain for the seed to germinate. In 2008 the watermelons were cultivated on around 540 ha in the region. Three watermelon seed types were identified: Fombou, Kaneye, and Musa Musa. For many people the seeds from these types are an important food source. In addition, dessert types called Kankani were also cultivated. The men take care of the field work related to the watermelon production and the women in the households process seeds into various snacks, flour to make sauces, and oil for meal preparations. Many use most of the seeds in their own household, and only surplus seed is sold on the market. Women, often organized in groups, are also engaged in local sale of the seed derived products. Abstract – French La pasteque ( Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai ) est cultivee dans le monde entier pour ses fruits a chair rouge et douce et est bien connue. D’autres types locaux de pasteque a chair blanche sont cultives dans certaines parties du monde, principalement pour les graines. Ces types sont mal documentes. Ce ‘photo essay’ decrit et documente la production et la transformation des graines de pasteques locales dans la region de Tombouctou. La plante est cultivee sur des sols sableux dans le desert, avec une courte periode de pluie permettant a la graine de germer. En 2008, ces pasteques ont ete cultivees sur environ 540 ha dans la region. Trois types ont ete identifies: Fombou, Kaneye, et Musa Musa. Ces types constituent pour beaucoup de gens une source alimentaire importante. En plus, des types dessert etaient cultives aussi, appeles Kankani. Les hommes s’occupent de la production et les femmes de la transformation des graines en croquettes, en farine pour faire la sauce, et en huile pour la preparation des repas. Beaucoup utilisent les graines de pasteques pour la consommation familiale, et seulement l’excedent est vendu sur le marche. Les femmes, organisees en groupes, sont egalement engagees dans la vente locale des produits de graines de pasteque au marche. Abstract – Bambara Zɛrɛ dɔ ne do djignɛ kɔnɔ ni a de blema ani sukoroma gne. Zɛrɛ sukuya werew be ye an ka togo daw la munu konanan dje le do ani ulu be sɛnɛ kissɛ de kama. Ulu zɛrɛ nunu dɔ ne tɛ kosobɛ. Ni ‘dja yira’ be ow zɛrɛw sinɛ gnefɔ aw gne ani ka kissew bayeleme tjiogo fɔ Tubuktu mara la. O zɛrɛ be sɛnɛ tjɛtjɛ ka sahara kɔnɔ, san dji fitini ba tɔ kissɛ be fale. San 2008, tari 540 de sɛnɛna Tubuktu mara la. Zɛrɛ sukuya saba de ku be: Fombou, Kaneye, Musa Musa. Ɔlu ye dumuni ye. Dɔwɛrɛw be munu dabɔ le do kɔnɔla duni de ma. Ɔ tɔgɔ ye Kankani. Cɛw de be sɛnɛ kɛ, musuw be bayelemi kɛ. Tiama be Zɛrɛ nunu sɛnɛ sɔkonɔ dumuni de ma, a tɔ dɔrɔ de be fere suku la. Musuw, numu djerɛ le dɔ kulu ye, de bɛ zɛrɛ nunu kissɛ dilan ani ka fere suku la.