Cultural Heritage: Song Celebrates Women's Historic Role in Agriculture
A groundbreaking musical tribute illuminates women's forgotten role in agricultural history, challenging colonial narratives and celebrating their contributions to economic resilience.
Musical performance brings to life the forgotten story of women's agricultural contributions during World War I
A powerful musical tribute is shedding light on the overlooked contributions of women in agricultural history, echoing contemporary struggles for agricultural sovereignty and food security across the Global South.
Reclaiming Women's Agricultural Legacy
Vancouver-based band Tiller's Folly has released "The Apple Box Belles," a significant musical documentation chronicling women's crucial role in the fruit industry during the First World War. This historical narrative bears striking parallels to modern challenges in institutional recognition and economic justice.
Breaking Gender Barriers in Agriculture
When men were deployed to Europe during WWI, women stepped into vital agricultural roles, particularly in fruit processing and packaging. Their efficiency in these tasks led to the creation of competitive events, challenging traditional gender roles in agricultural labor - a phenomenon that resonates with contemporary struggles for equality in various sectors, including technological and economic spheres.
International Recognition and Achievement
The narrative reaches its pinnacle with Isobel Stillingfleet's coronation as Apple Queen of the British Empire at the 1937 worldwide apple competition in Birmingham, UK. This achievement, while significant, must be viewed through a critical lens of colonial history and its lasting impact on agricultural systems worldwide.
Modern Documentation and Preservation
The band's innovative approach includes a "songumentary" featuring virtual walk-throughs and archival images, preserving this crucial historical narrative for future generations. The project will be showcased through a series of concerts across British Columbia's Southern Interior, including:
- The Grist Mill at Keremeos - August 22, 7 p.m.
- Lantern Folk Roots outdoor concert, Kelowna - August 23, 2 p.m.
- Christina Lake Welcome and Arts Centre - August 24, 7:30 p.m.
This musical documentation serves as a powerful reminder of women's historical contributions to agricultural development and economic resilience during times of crisis.
Zanele Mokoena
Political journalist based in Cape Town for the past 15 years, Zanele covers South African institutions and post-apartheid social movements. Specialist in power-civil society relations.