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Roots of Gold: A Story of the Oil Palm Tree

During a nice, partly cloudy day, I saw the tall, thin oil palm trees rising towards the blue sky. The tree’s fronds stretched out and created a covering over the green space beneath them. Beneath the arch, plenty of tropical plants grew and lit up as the sun shone on their leaves. Still, it was the oil palm that surprised me with its size and age, much greater than anything I had ever seen.

The oil palm is not only a tree we can see in our backyard but also has other important value. It stands for people surviving, keeping to their customs, and seeking better economic opportunities. For a long time, families have depended on it to earn money and provide for themselves and their businesses. Red palm oil is made from its fruit and is included in nearly all foods in Guinea-Bissau. Because it is packed with nutrients and has a delicious taste, it turns common meals into special ones. It is useful in more ways, including producing soap, lotions, and crafts.

It stands out in my mind the first time I participated in processing palm fruit. The thick bunches were boiled, then the soft, hot insides were scooped out and gently pressed. Things were tough at times, but very fulfilling in the end. Neighbors were hard at work making palm oil, and everyone could enjoy the amazing smell as well as their cheerful conversations. I realized from that situation that agriculture involves people, patience, and purpose, not only planting.

Right now, I can relate the trees in the picture to the lesson I learned and all the fronds tell of the people involved in the oil industry. And all of the shadows on the ground come from hands that have taken pride in doing this work. It takes effort, a bit of time, and the right seasonal changes to grow oil palm trees.

Besides being beautiful, this image is also very powerful. It discusses a lifestyle that is environmentally friendly and closely linked with nature. It makes us notice the food we can gather and the people who have taken care of the land. Deep inside these trees is gold, and it gives, nourishes, and shares our history with us.

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