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Food plants and masticants of the batemi of Ngorongoro District, Tanzania1

Plantes comestibles et mastiquées des Batemi, dans le district de Ngorongoro en Tanzanie

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Abstract

Based on independent interviews with 25 persons we report 44 edible species of plants used by the Batemi of Sale Division, Ngorongoro District, Tanzania. Thirty-one of these are specifically consumed as food; six species are chewed as thirst quenchers; seven species of gums and resins are chewed; two species are added to food as flavorants; and one species is used in the preparation of honey beer. We report 8 species used as tooth brushes by the Batemi. An additional 35 species of food and beverage plants were observed under cultivation by the Batemi. With these plants the Batemi ingest phytochemicals in a manner that could have positive health effects.

Resumen

A partir d’entrevues indépendentes avec 25 personnes, nous avons documenté 44 plantes comestibles utilisées par les Batémis du district de Ngorongoro, Tanzanie. Trente-et-une de ces plantes sont consommées comme aliment; six espéces sont mastiquées pour pallier ã la soif; sept espéces de gomme et de résine sont mastiquées; deux espéces sont ajoutées ã la nourriture pour en rehausser le goût; et une espéce est utilisée dans la fabrication de l’hydromel. Nous rapportons huit espéces utilisées comme brosses ã dents par les Batémis. De plus, 35 espéces de plantes sont documentées sous culture par les Batémis ã des fins de consommation comme aliment ou boisson. A l’aide de ces plantes les Batémis ingérent des agents phytochimiques qui pourraient avoir des effets positifs sur la santé.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Nutrition and the Environment of Indigenous Peoples, Macdonald Campus ofMcGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, H9X 3V9, Quebec, Canada

    Timothy Johns

  2. Institute of Traditional Medicine, Muhimbili Medicinal Centre, Box 65,001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    E. B. Mhoro

  3. Muholo, Tanzania

    Pius Sanaya

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  1. Timothy Johns
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  2. E. B. Mhoro
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  3. Pius Sanaya
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Johns, T., Mhoro, E.B. & Sanaya, P. Food plants and masticants of the batemi of Ngorongoro District, Tanzania1. Econ Bot 50, 115–121 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02862116

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02862116

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