Fromings Collection: Production of Malawi Darkfired Tobacco Part 2 1956

Filmmaker: Douglas Fromings Film showing every stage of the production of dark fired tobacco at Kasiya (40 miles from Lilongwe) in Nyasaland (Malawi), from the issue of seed to the despatch of baled leaf to the Limbe Auction floors. Fromings supplied five typed pages of notes to accompany the film. He provided some commentary on the footage, and also covered the general background of the dark fired tobacco cultivation project. Detailed description The film begins in bright sunlight in a clearing, where a large group of African males are sitting on the ground. Douglas Fromings (DF) is seated at a table. In his notes he identifies this as a meeting of tobacco growers in 1956, outside a village in Malawi. An African male is seated next to DF, addressing the group. DF identifies him as Simeon, the Head Instructor. The growers are seen queuing to register and for seed issue before the film pans across seed beds being prepared for planting. Dry grass is laid on tilled and ridged beds to burn off weeds, and seed is mixed in a watering can. The leaf harvest takes place, with DF stripping lower leaves alongside the growers who place them gently into woven baskets. DF demonstrates twisting a small wire double hook over a horizontal pole; this was a technique he developed to avoid the practice of tying leaves up, which resulted in overcrowding and damage. The stem of the tobacco leaf is pierced by the hook, and once the pole is full it is carefully removed for storage in a barn. A procession of workers follow carts covered with hessian wrap, or carry baskets on heads; children join the group and women stand aside, wrapping babies in blanket slings. Also present are several African men dressed in bush shirts, who look like officials. DF's notes explain that this is the process of classification and buying. He is seen examining the dried leaves and classifying each basket. The film pans over the faces of growers, who seem to be in their best clothes. A successful grower proudly displays a ticket, which will be taken to the cash office. Another grower stands in the sunlight counting cash. There is a brief glimpse of Ruth Fromings, DF's wife, who was one of the ticket writers at the cash office.