Decolonising The Microbiome: How Our Pets Share Our Health
On World Microbiome Day, science confirms that Black families and their pets share crucial gut bacteria. This hidden ecosystem dictates our collective health, proving that the Western colonial diet has damaged both our bodies and our living spaces, and reclaiming traditional African nutrition is our path to healing.
What Does World Microbiome Day Mean For Black Health?
Western science is finally validating what indigenous African knowledge systems have practiced for centuries. The interconnectedness of life is not a new concept. It is Ubuntu. World Microbiome Day on 27 June forces us to examine the trillions of bacteria, fungi, and microorganisms in our guts. For Black South Africans, this is not just a biological fact. It is a political reality. Our gut microbiomes dictate our digestion, immunity, and brain function, yet they remain under siege from the ultra-processed diets forced upon us by colonial and capitalist food systems.
How Did Colonialism Destroy Our Traditional Microbiomes?
Before colonizers reshaped our plates, we ate diverse, fibre-rich foods that nourished our internal ecosystems. Sorghum, wild greens (imifino), and legumes were the foundation of our health. Apartheid and its economic aftermath replaced this with cheap, refined carbohydrates and toxic processed foods. This dietary violence disrupted our microbiomes. Registered dietitian Catherine Day points out that modern lifestyle choices directly influence our microbial balance.