Returning to the land in Martinique is in the air post-confinement. Meeting with the Ypiranga association, a figure of Martinique’s bio activism.

From Creole garden to shared garden …

From Creole garden to shared garden… Since confinement, many Martinicans have turned more and more to gardening as an outlet and a true return to the essential, I am no exception as a pure city dweller. Although living in an apartment, I discovered a passion for plants, while I was convinced that I did not have a green thumb. I have just ordered a bio bucket to make compost so that I can turn into a real gardener. Yes, yes don’t laugh, I really intend to grow my tomatoes on my balcony but anyway let’s go back to our gardens…

Gardening or rather Creole gardening belongs to our Antillean culture inherited from a long tradition since the Kalinagos it is qualified as “Creole” because it is a cultural heritage of the pre-colonial and colonial era and centered on food autonomy. It was during An tan robè time of famine and deprivation (under Admiral Robert’s regime) that Creole gardening developed, encouraging the population to reconnect with nature. But if there is one concept that has become trendy in recent years, it is shared gardening. I think it was with the Ypiranga Center for Popular Culture association of Pastinha that I discovered this concept which was until then unknown to me, so I wanted to introduce them to you.

The history of the Ypiranga de Pasthina association takes us from Brazil to Martinique.

The name Ypiranga de Pasthina takes us directly to Brazil, the association comes from its Brazilian matrix initiated by mestre Manoel in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro. The association was created in Martinique by Teo Angoleiro, the most Martinican of Brazilians who takes us into the imaginary world of Brazil through Capoeira, a true philosophy of life between music, sport and history (NB: Capoeira is a martial art that draws its roots from Afro-Brazilian culture).

The multiple actions of the association

The actions of the association are diverse: the shared garden of Trénelle-Citron created in 2014, the Eco-place of Tivoli in 2019, the mobile solidarity shop, the free delivery of food aid, the gardens in the Ducos penitentiary center, the swarming (multiplication) of shared gardens and medicinal plant libraries, Capoeira Angola classes. The aim of the association is to bring socially discriminated audiences towards a higher self-esteem and a better quality of life. Its objectives could be summarized in a few words: Health and well-being, environment, citizenship, culture, and opening up.

The Tivoli Eco-place: a piece of countryside in the city

I couldn’t help but focus on the Tivoli eco-place, a neighborhood dear to my heart, on the eco-place which is the second place of life managed by the CCPYPM. You will find there a medicinal plant library with many species of plants, a composting area, a sensory course, animals in short, a real little green paradise that I particularly like ! It is also an educational project since the eco-place regularly organizes workshops with schoolchildren thanks to the Jardin dans les écoles program, but also training courses on agro-ecology for adults and finally training courses for teachers from the national education system as part of the Jardin dans les écoles operation.

The members of the association often organize mini-markets for more than 2 years whose aim is to raise awareness about nature and man’s place in his environment. I regularly go there to buy my medicinal plants or my fruits and vegetables from the Lasotè ensemble association . The atmosphere is very friendly and pleasant you are likely to be conquered I am sure! I was particularly seduced by a creator La fée des Caps who transforms coffee capsules into jewelry, real works of art!

Don’t hesitate to visit their Facebook pages for more information https://www.facebook.com/ecolieu.martinique https://www.facebook.com/Lejardinpartagedetrenellecitron or contact them by email at ypirangamartinique@gmail.com .

I hope I have given you the desire to discover more about the work of this wonderful association between culture, ecology, solidarity, transmission and why not have aroused ecological vocations! Because they are the small gestures of today that will make the world of tomorrow !