Right away there is an emotional element to this story as the Yungas have growing coca embedded in their culture as well as different associations and signs that are harnessed to the act of growing and harvesting coca. One of these symbols being how it is equated to a woman’s life cycle which I find very interesting. This goes along with how when a young couple move in together the man begins to plant coca seeds. Which might also draw parallels on them starting their own family and (potentially) having daughters. All while planting and wanting to foster such a culturally significant symbol for the new couple. As the young family grows the kids will then start to help in the fields when the plants are at the stage that they are, in terms of being young adolescents and needing more attention. So on as they mature over the age of 40, the plants begin to need less attention. At this time the children have probably begun to move away with their wives/husbands and start the cycle of planting cocoa plants on their own accord. I find this life cycle of the family very wholesome as at the beginning of the new couples journey this is a constant in terms of having the coca plants around. I find that a lot of traditional cultural plants will have more connections to the male side of the culture, so the cocoa plant being associated with a woman’s life cycle is interesting to me.
I found it interesting the different superstition that are in place surrounding coca and it’s harvest as this is something that I’ve never experienced growing up in Vancouver. In terms of the process they go through and how they feel about the pungent odour, more so how their anxiety surrounding the energy will ease when the coca is dried and they can use it as a means to get funds to support their family.
This connection is something that I think is special as well, this is something that the whole family is involved throughout the stages of their lives while harvesting the coca and then using it to be able to support themselves and their loved ones.
Question: are there any culturally specific plants in Canada you can think of that are connected to a woman’s life cycle?
I think all things that foster life are connected to women, but as for culturally specific plants in Canada maybe apple trees or berry bushes can represent their life cycle. Starting off as a sapling, growing flowers, bearing fruit, and all that good stuff could parallel the cultural connotations of coca for the Yungas people.
That’s a really interesting question! It made me reflect on how plants (from my limited biological knowledge) have both ‘female’ and ‘male’ reproductive morphology, and how despite this, society has come to associate plants with gendered characteristics. Flowers in particular are predominantly associated with women- brides walk down the aisle holding them and women receive them on dates etc.. To answer your question as to if there are any specific plants in Canada that are connected to a women’s life cycle- I’m not quite sure! Many Indigenous cultures and First Nations have very close relationships with plants, animals and the natural world. There is something very spiritual and powerful in those beliefs, and I wonder if there is a gendered aspect to any of them…
I have a great appreciation for the way you described the cultural aspect. It was very pleasant. I am unaware of any physical plants that parallel a woman’s life cycle. However, I feel like there is a cross-culture comparison between womanhood and flora. Flowers are used to symbolize women in many ways and that was the first thing that came to my mind.