Abstract
We investigated the relationships between the cultural importance of spider plant (Gynandropsis gynandra), a neglected leafy vegetable in West Africa, and the different management regimes of the species among six socio-linguistic groups in Benin and one in Togo. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 428 respondents. Cultural significance and management indices were used to quantify the importance of the species for each respondent. In addition to food uses, G. gynandra was used to cure 42 different diseases. A regression tree analysis revealed that the cultural importance and level of management of the species were strongly associated with ethnicity, gender, and to a lesser extent to age, education, income, and land tenure. Socio-linguistic groups with similar cultural background had convergent perceptions of the cultural importance of the species and described similar management practices. An analysis of farmers’ willingness to change their current management practices revealed that migration, market opportunities, and external intervention might significantly affect future management decision-making processes. We discuss community-oriented approaches to upscale the species cultivation in the region. Our study highlights how cultural importance influences current and future management intensity and illustrates how ethnobotanical research can guide research for development strategies to enact positive changes in communities’ management of traditional leafy vegetables.
Highlights
Wild edible plants constitute an essential food source used around the world and contribute to diet diversification and livelihoods in several communities (Ong and Kim 2017; Pawera et al 2017)
Migration patterns play an important role in the dynamics of plant knowledge and use and induced changes vary depending on differences in social, cultural, economic, institutional, and ecological contexts between migrants’ home country/ region and their host country/region (Medeiros et al 2012)
The present study aims at documenting the current management practices on Gynandropsis gynandra in local communities of Benin and Togo to explore drivers for future positive change
Summary
Wild edible plants constitute an essential food source used around the world and contribute to diet diversification and livelihoods in several communities (Ong and Kim 2017; Pawera et al 2017). Knowledge exchange and significant cultural interactions may occur and migrant communities may adapt to the flora, knowledge, and traditions of the host country (Ceuterick et al 2008; Volpato et al 2009). This process is illustrated by the case of Tyrolean migrants and their descendants who migrated from Austria to Australia, Brazil, and Peru, 50, 80, and 150 years ago respectively. Migrants might actively preserve the flora and knowledge from their home country or region as an attempt to conserve their cultural identity, as for example, the case of the Dominicans living in New York City (Vandebroek and Balick 2012) or the Surinamese in the Netherlands (van Andel and Westers 2010)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
