Utilization of macrofungi by some indigenous communities for food and medicine in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

The indigenous communities of Peninsular Malaysia with a population of approximately 150,000 people are collectively called the Orang Asli (original people) and consist of three major tribes, the Negrito, Senoi and Proto Malays, with six sub-tribes each. Traditionally the Orang Asli lived in and subsisted on the forests, but with increasing loss of forest areas, integration into mainstream society and urbanization, they are rapidly losing their traditional knowledge and culture. In an effort to record some of this precious indigenous knowledge, a questionnaire survey, visits and interviews were conducted with selected indigenous communities in 70 villages in Peninsular Malaysia. Macrofungi utilized for food and medicine were documented and fungi with potential for cultivation and commercialization were identified. Indigenous communities interviewed were the Semai, Temuan, Bateq, Che Wong and Jakun sub-tribes. Our results showed that at least 31 species of macrofungi were collected for food but only 14 species were used for medicinal purposes. All the fungi were collected for the communities’ own consumption and not for commercial purposes with the exception of Lignosus sp. (susu rimau) which is specifically sought for upon request by urban middlemen, mostly local herbalists. Although our interviews were mainly conducted with the village Tok Batin (headman), the women folk generally joined in the interviews and were most knowledgeable, providing much of the information. Generally, the younger generation, especially the men, were much less knowledgeable and less interested to learn about macrofungi utilization. Traditional knowledge including the utilization of mushrooms is passed down orally within the communities with the women playing an important role in this oral tradition. A booklet on the common mushrooms utilized by Orang Asli communities in Peninsular Malaysia has been published and distributed to all the communities surveyed as well as to the relevant government department in charge of Orang Asli affairs.