Teso runs out of thatching grass
GRASS-thatched houses are increasingly becoming difficult to build in Teso sub-region due to scarcity of straw grass.
By DANIEL EDYEGU
GRASS-thatched houses are increasingly becoming difficult to build in Teso sub-region due to scarcity of straw grass.
This means that the huts, which form part of the revered cultural heritage of the Iteso, may soon be a thing of the past.
Joyce Mary Asio, a resident of Otuco village in Arapai sub-county, Soroti district, explained that unlike in the past where straw grass was plentiful in the region, it had disappeared, prompting prices for each bundle to soar.
“In the past, you could cut grass from anywhere as long as you had a sickle. Then people became strict with their land and prices got to sh500 per bundle. Now, they range between sh1,000 to sh1,500 for a very small bundle yet you need over 200 bundles to thatch a sizable hut,†Asio said.
“Recently, I thatched my hut and realised the bill had got to over sh300,000. I regretted why I did not purchase iron sheets,†she added.
Straw grass is preferable for thatching due to its durability. A hut thatched with sorted straw grass can last up to 10 years before replacement, according to Asio.
Besides thatching huts, the grass is used for thatching makeshift shades for guests during cultural ceremonies such us marriages and funerals.
Asio said due to the scarcity, people had resorted to constructing huts with iron sheets, while some opted for small semi-permanent houses. One iron sheet costs between sh30,000 to sh50,000.
She said low income earners use non-durable grass like spear and star grass to thatch huts.
Joseph Elaju from Arapai sub-county attributed the scarcity of grass to resettlement of formerly displaced persons and the rapid population rise.
“With the resettlement, the formerly vacant land where straw grass grew in abundance has been cultivated and part of it turned into grazing land,†Elaju said.
He added that in Teso, the only areas where straw grass still exists are those with sparse population such as Obalanga sub-county in Amuria district and Ngariam and Toroma sub-counties in Katakwi.
Elaju explained that people had recently resettled in these areas after Karimajong incursions were contained
The Katakwi youth councillor, Robert Akabway, said women were making huge profits from cutting and selling grass.
“The women cut grass in groups. To fill a truck, you have to notify them a day in advance so they can cut it and pile the bundles at various spots for collection. People from nearly all parts of Teso buy straw grass from here,†Akabway said.
GRASS-thatched houses are increasingly becoming difficult to build in Teso sub-region due to scarcity of straw grass.
This means that the huts, which form part of the revered cultural heritage of the Iteso, may soon be a thing of the past.
Joyce Mary Asio, a resident of Otuco village in Arapai sub-county, Soroti district, explained that unlike in the past where straw grass was plentiful in the region, it had disappeared, prompting prices for each bundle to soar.
“In the past, you could cut grass from anywhere as long as you had a sickle. Then people became strict with their land and prices got to sh500 per bundle. Now, they range between sh1,000 to sh1,500 for a very small bundle yet you need over 200 bundles to thatch a sizable hut,†Asio said.
“Recently, I thatched my hut and realised the bill had got to over sh300,000. I regretted why I did not purchase iron sheets,†she added.
Straw grass is preferable for thatching due to its durability. A hut thatched with sorted straw grass can last up to 10 years before replacement, according to Asio.
Besides thatching huts, the grass is used for thatching makeshift shades for guests during cultural ceremonies such us marriages and funerals.
Asio said due to the scarcity, people had resorted to constructing huts with iron sheets, while some opted for small semi-permanent houses. One iron sheet costs between sh30,000 to sh50,000.
She said low income earners use non-durable grass like spear and star grass to thatch huts.
Joseph Elaju from Arapai sub-county attributed the scarcity of grass to resettlement of formerly displaced persons and the rapid population rise.
“With the resettlement, the formerly vacant land where straw grass grew in abundance has been cultivated and part of it turned into grazing land,†Elaju said.
He added that in Teso, the only areas where straw grass still exists are those with sparse population such as Obalanga sub-county in Amuria district and Ngariam and Toroma sub-counties in Katakwi.
Elaju explained that people had recently resettled in these areas after Karimajong incursions were contained
The Katakwi youth councillor, Robert Akabway, said women were making huge profits from cutting and selling grass.
“The women cut grass in groups. To fill a truck, you have to notify them a day in advance so they can cut it and pile the bundles at various spots for collection. People from nearly all parts of Teso buy straw grass from here,†Akabway said.