Ethnolinguistics and ethnobotany documentation: Towards preserving Hehe indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants in a pictorial dictionary

Project Background

Traditional medicines and herbal remedies have gained recognition status in health care.  The  Tanzanian government encourages and promotes these medicines’ use (Traditional and Alternative Medicines Act 23 of 2002; Stangeland, 2008).  Thus, medicinal plants are prone to extinction because of the increased demand for their use.  Besides,  available literature documenting medicinal plants does not include a pictorial representation of the documented plant.  Due to the above-stated deficit, ethnolinguistic and ethnobotanical studies focus on merging the local and scientific nomenclature and the indigenous techniques used in conserving and preserving medicinal plants are paramount.  This kind of study is crucial towards promoting knowledge sharing and preserving of medicinal plants conservation techniques across Hehe generations.

Coordinator

 

Dr. Onesmo S. Nyinondi

About Project

 Duration of Project: Two years

Project Funded – Project is funded by Sokoine University of Agriculture Research and Innovation Support (SUARIS)

Research Areas – Mufindi and Kilolo districts in Iringa Region

Research Goal

The study is intended to document plant species with medicinal significance by merging both the local/traditional with scientific names and developing a pictorial dictionary for future references

Research Object

  • To conduct an ethnolinguistic survey of medicinal plants used by the Hehe community.
  • To explore indigenous knowledge and knowledge transfer within the Hehe society on usage and conservation practices
  • To develop a pictorial dictionary of plants by using their images, and usages amongst the Hehe people of SWH

Expected Output

  • Ethnolinguistics of medicinal plants identified
  • Indigenous knowledge and transfer explored
  • Trilingual pictorial dictionary of medicinal plants developed
  • Publications

Project Members

Other project team members are Dr. Elly Ligate, Senior Lecturer in vegetation studies and conservation ecology, Dr. Prisila Mkenda, Lecturer in ecological diversity, Mr. Gaston Mbilinyi, Principal Lab- Technologist in botany.