Planting of cassava is not an activity of now, it has stated way back and people still plant it til now by any class that you belong to in the society as you have said.
As your Aunty has cassava plant, I guess you also have? You really tried killing 2 harmful reptiles in the process. Weldone! Have a great day.
That's the truth cassava planting is done in March or April. I was almost bitten by those reptile.
Lucky you escaped it, just be careful out there.