Insects as food, traditional medicine and cultural rites in the west and south regions of Cameroon

In Cameroon, non-timber forest products of animal origin, poorly exploited by the population can be an importantsource of food. We carried out a study on the importance of edible insects in five divisions: Koung-khi, High-Plateaus, Menoua (West Region), Mvila, Dja and Lobo (South Region). We conducted individual semi-structured surveys on489 persons, from December 2014 to March 2015. Participants were aged between 8-91 years. Results showed that, nine groups of insects are eaten in the two regions: beetles (89.57%), termites (70.76%), grasshoppers and locusts (49.90%), crickets (44.17%), katydids (42.94%), caterpillars (31.80%), bees (8.38%), variegated grasshopper (8.18%) and ants (6.54%). These insects are mainly consumed: (1) in sauce (caterpillars); (2) fried (crickets, termites, beetles, grasshoppers and locusts, variegated grasshopper and ants); (3) raw (bees); or (4) roasted (crickets). The majority of people (72.49%.) consume insects mostly for their good taste and then for medicinal properties. The intervieweementioned that insects and their products could be used to improve expression in children aged between 2 to 3 yearsand to treat vomiting in infants, rheumatism, chickenpox, spleen inflammation, the large navel, lumbago, mumps, cramps, weak bones. Apart from ants and bees, most edible insects are sold in local markets. Termites (42.94%), grasshoppers and locusts (36.20%), and beetles (34.36%) were the most commercialised. In local markets, they are mostly sold in cups, bottles, glasses or heaps. Ants and bees are sold directly by the traditional healers. Most of theseinsects are harvested throughout the year, except variegated grasshoppers that appears to be seasonal.

Download Full-text

Ethnic heterogeneity of knowledge on Zonocerus variegatus and reasons for consumption and non-consumption in the southern part of Cameroon

Journal of Insects as Food and Feed ◽

10.3920/jiff2019.0035 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 273-283

Author(s):

S. Kekeunou ◽

P.S. Laïda ◽

M.B. Achu-Loh ◽

C.L. Djuideu Tchouamou ◽

L. Simo-Guiadem ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ethnic Groups ◽

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy ◽

Forest Products ◽

Animal Origin ◽

Human Consumption ◽

African Countries ◽

Good Taste ◽

Stomach Pain ◽

Non Timber Forest Products ◽

Variegated Grasshopper

With the growth of the human population, non-timber forest products of animal origin, such as grasshoppers, could be an approach to the solution of food shortage. The variegated grasshopper is an edible insect and an agricultural pest in several African countries. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, the level and reasons of consumption and non-consumption of this grasshopper in different ethnic groups in the south part of Cameroon. An individual structured survey, conducted from January to February 2018, among ten ethnic groups revealed that 99% of the participants know the variegated grasshopper. It has 22 local names, with mba’assana as the most common name. This grasshopper is mainly used for consumption (93.7%) and the level of consumption is higher among the Mbamois, Bulu, Ntumu, Pygmies and Maka people. It is used as medicine (3.9%), to treat splenomegaly, umbilical hernia, and to prevent rheumatism and benign prostatic hypertrophy. It is also used in traditional rites (0.6%) (Eton) and as a source of income (0.6%) (Ewondo). People consume the variegated grasshopper mainly because of its good taste and high nutritional value (73.24%). The adult is the stage mostly consumed when fried. The Bassa also consume the larvae (6%). Those who refuse the insect mostly talk of its bad odour and that its consumption can lead to the appearance of various pathologies (3.6%) such as cramps, stomach pain, paralysis, allergy, diarrhoea, nerve pain, abdominal pain, poisoning, vomiting and death. The repellent gland could be involved in the toxicity related to the consumption of this grasshopper. For the Bulu people, poor cooking is a risk factor. Further studies are needed on the potential risks of the variegated grasshopper before it could be recommended for general human consumption.

Download Full-text

Edible insects in the Adamawa and eastern regions of Cameroon: collection, processing and consumption

Journal of Insects as Food and Feed ◽

10.3920/jiff2020.0015 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-12

Author(s):

K.M.L. Djouffa ◽

C. Saïdou ◽

A. Ali ◽

B.A. Mohammadou ◽

C. Tchiegang

Keyword(s):

Forest Products ◽

Edible Insects ◽

Termite Mounds ◽

Host Trees ◽

Gradual Disappearance ◽

Non Timber Forest Products ◽

Food And Feed ◽

Harvesting Techniques ◽

Insects As Food ◽

Descriptive Survey

The exploitation of non-timber forest products including edible insects plays an important role in the food habits of the Cameroon population and in particular those of the Adamawa and eastern regions. Although the consumption of insects in these areas is an ancient practice, there is a dearth of information concerning their diversity, availability and their modes of consumption. In order to develop the potential of insects as food and feed, a descriptive survey was carried out with 584 people in nine divisions of the two regions, to collect quantitative and qualitative information on their knowledge and different uses of insects. Thirty-one regularly consumed insect species belonging to the order of Isoptera (19.35%), Orthoptera (19.35%), Lepidoptera (54.90%) and Coleoptera (6.45%) were recorded. Inadequate harvesting practices such as slash-and-burn agriculture, destruction of termite mounds, logging and cutting down host trees when capturing caterpillars were recognised as the main causes of the scarcity of insects currently observed in these regions. The consumption of insects depends on religion and ethnic. It is a taboo among Muslims. Apart from 1.11% of insects consumed raw, boiling (15.74%), sun drying (17.79%), frying (29.95%), grilling (28.88%), roasting on coals (6.53%) are the different culinary treatments commonly used by women who constitute the main actors (75%) in this sector. This diversity of edible insects in these areas could be a potential to develop in the fight against malnutrition, but the harvesting techniques applied contribute to their gradual disappearance.

Download Full-text

Invisible but viable: recognising local markets for non-timber forest products

International Forestry Review ◽

10.1505/ifor.9.3.697 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 697-712 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

S Shackleton ◽

P Shanley ◽

O Ndoye

Keyword(s):

Forest Products ◽

Local Markets ◽

Non Timber Forest Products

Download Full-text

Illegal rattan extraction trends in the Ankasa Conservation Area in Ghana

Journal of Energy and Natural Resource Management ◽

10.26796/jenrm.v2i3.49 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 84-92

Author(s):

R. Obour, D. Amankwaa, A. Asare

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

Biological Diversity ◽

Forest Products ◽

Simple Random Sampling ◽

Sampling Techniques ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Conservation Area ◽

Forest Reserve ◽

The North ◽

Non Timber Forest Products

Protected Areas (PAs) are created for the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, but many of Ghana’s PAs are subjectto severe pressures and threats, the main pressures being the illegal extraction of natural resources. Rattans are indisputablyone of the most important Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in Ghana’s Protected Areas that is without doubt one of thereasons for which it has drawn the attention of researchers. In this study the illegal rattan extraction patterns in the AnkasaConservation Area (ACA) in Ghana was inspected. Simple random sampling and Snowball sampling techniques were used. Datacollection employed the use of semi-structured questionnaires, interviews and field enumeration of rattans as well as an analysisof Effective Patrol Man-days (EPMDS) from 2004 to 2012. The results showed a significant positive correlation (r = 0.75, p<0.05, r2 = 0.557) between patrol effort and rattan extraction encounters. In addition, there was a general reduction in illegalrattan extraction encounters from 2004 to 2012 at a rate of 4.3 per year. The highest illegal rattan extraction incidences wererecorded in 2006 (76 encounters), 2005 (35 encounters), 2008 (22 encounters), 2004 (18 encounters) and the least incidencewere recorded in both 2010 (3 encounters) and 2011 (3 encounters).The research also revealed that Eremospatha macrocarpawas the most extracted rattan species followed by Laccosperma secundiflorum. The major rattan extraction and trade routesoriginate in the northern parts and in the area east of the reserve and also south of Draw River Forest Reserve. Generally, rattanpoaching in Ankasa Conservation Area has declined, but there are still human incursions in the northern part of the reserve. Thestudy recommended an intensification of patrols in the north of the reserve. Also, enrichment planting and Agroforestry practicesof inter-cropping rattans with seasonal crops should be pursued vigorously for the local communities.

Download Full-text

Market Survey of Non-Timber Forest Products in the Sunyani Municipality

Journal of Energy and Natural Resource Management ◽

10.26796/jenrm.v3i2.58 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 44-53

Author(s):

S.D. Akoto

Keyword(s):

Building Materials ◽

Significant Proportion ◽

Forest Products ◽

Packaging Materials ◽

Medicinal Products ◽

Monthly Basis ◽

Rural Livelihood ◽

Non Timber Forest Products ◽

Communal Lands ◽

Forest Lands

This study sought to: (1) identify the types and sources of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) traded; (2) find the frequencyof the NTFPs trade and (3) identify the challenges in NTFPs trading in the Sunyani Municipality. The survey was carried outfrom February, 2014 to April, 2014 mainly at the Sunyani Central and Nana Bosoma Markets in the Sunyani Municipality. Thetarget population comprised NTFPs collectors (gatherers), sellers and consumers. Respondents were purposively sampled. Atotal of 100 respondents were engaged in this study. The NTFPs were grouped into six categories namely; food, medicine,building materials, packaging materials, artefacts and domestic utensils. Key informants’ interviews were also conducted atthe Sunyani Forest Services Division to triangulate the data already gathered. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was usedto analyze the data obtained. The study demonstrated that domestic utensils (37%), food (33%), medicinal products (12%),packaging materials (9%), artefacts (6%) and building materials (3%) were the types of NTFPs traded in the two market centers.The results also showed that majority of the respondents (77%) harvest their NTFPs from forest lands as against 23% whoharvest from communal lands. A significant proportion of the respondents (52%) traded in above 40 kg of NTFPs and only 4%were seen trading in 10 kg of NTFPs. The study further highlighted that food (28%) and domestic utensils (26%) were regularlybrought to the market centers on weekly basis whilst significant proportions of medicinal products (9%), building materials(3%) and artefacts (4%) were brought to the market venues on monthly basis. Cumbersome permit procedure (40%), increasedmarket demand (15%) and financial constraints (20%) were identified as some of the challenges encountered in NTFPs tradingin the Sunyani Municipality. To ensure strict monitoring and sustainability of the resource, there is the need for sensitizationprogramme on the importance of NTFPs in rural livelihood and why their conservation is vital in meeting the needs of thepresent generation whilst not undermining their potential in supplying the needs of future generations.

Download Full-text