Maranao Ethnobiology of G’nda/Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

Abstract

Allium schoenoprasum, commonly called chives or G’nda by the Maranaos, is a small bulbous perennial known for its culinary and ornamental utility. The herb can be easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade and is a native to both the Old and the New World. The current study is an investigation on the Traditional Ethnobiological Knowledge (TEK) of Maranaos on the commonly used chives. Aimed at finding out the uses of Chives among Maranaos, ethnography design, participant observation and key informant interviews based on semi-structured questionnaires were then employed. A total of thirty five (35) respondents coming from MSU – Marawi City, and from the municipalities of Piagapo and Masiu, all in Lanao del Sur participated. Among the respondents, five (5) were traditional healers aged 60-90 years old and thirty (30) TEK knowledgeable woman aged 20-50 years old. There were 16.67% female participants from MSU- Marawi, 50% from municipalities of Piagapo and 33.33% from Masiu. Findings of the study showed that Maranao traditional ethnobiological knowledge is very unique and that Maranaos believed that chives are more powerful than medical practitioners during childbirth. Healers would administer chives during labor of a parturating woman and even to thwart of spirits and to cure headaches. Respondents divulged that most Maranao woman when about to give birth prefers giving birth at home in the presence of chives and its associated rituals. Other findings showed that Maranaos have rich traditional knowledge using not only plants but also animals but this knowledge is yet to be documented. In view of the aforementioned findings, it is recommended that there shall be proper exploration, documentation and conservation of the traditional ethnobiological knowledge of the Maranaos.