Plant-women, senses, and ecological considerations: Rethinking ritual plants and their taboos among the Pangcah of Taiwan (1920–2020)

Anthropologists have made strides in theorizing non-human subjectivity in cosmologies but, emphasizing animals, they underestimate the importance of botanical beings. Pangcah rituals and taboos cannot be separated from plants. Through ritual action, they divide plants into three categories: the first is cereals that have deities and soul, which are the center of animistic and shamanic rituals. These spirits will stick to people (like the substance of cereals) asking for food or aggressively make people ill. The second type is leaf vegetables forbidden to eat before and during rituals. They are regarded as unmarried females and have sexual connotations. The third includes ‘enveloped’ plants (beans and bamboo shoots) that are eaten only during rituals. From the important position of plants in the Pangcah lifeway and cosmology, this article explores the Pangcah ontology and analyzes the mediating role of sensory experience played in the people–plants–spirits encounter.

Analysis of Telajakan characteristic and the existence of ritual plants in Canggu Village and Penglipuran Village

The life of Balinese people can never be separated from ritual activities or religious ceremonies. The existence of telajakan is essential to preserve. Aside from being a traditional Balinese identity, it also provides space for ritual plants and biodiversity. So that effort is needed to manage the existence of telajakan. This research is expected to analyze the characteristics of telajakan and the existence of ritual plants found in telajakan. Field observation was undertaken to inventory distribution point of remains telajakan in Canggu village. The sampling method uses purposive sampling by tracing along the main road and marking the visible point of telajakan. Changes function of telajakan was found in the Canggu area, and in Penglipuran villages, there is still preserved. Following this study, 49 samples of remains telajakan were collected from Canggu village and 69 samples from Penglipuran village. The characteristics of telajakan can be observed with the structure and size. The result shows, the structure of telajakan can be any combination of an open ditch, covered ditch, pedestrians track, open ground, grass, and fence wall. Size of telajakan can be grouped into small size (width <50 cm), medium size (width 50-99 cm), large size (width 100-149 cm), and extra-large size (width > 150 cm). Based on survey research and observation, various plants are found in each sample. Seventy-seven species of plants were found in 49 samples of telajakan in Canggu village. Plumeria accuminata, Codiaeum Sp., and Bougainvillea spectabilis is the most common species. Meanwhile, in Penglipuran village, 117 species of plants were found in 69 samples of telajakan. Furthermore, the most common species found were Plumeria accuminata, Alternanthera ficoidea, Cordyline terminalis, and Cananga odorata. Result show both Canggu village and Penglipuran villages have high species diversity index (H′>3). Canggu village species diversity index amount 3.88 and Penglipuran village amount 4.12. The utilization of telajakan as space for ritual plants can preserve Balinese tradition and cultures’ local identity.

ETNOBOTANY STUDY ON THE UTILIZATION OF SIRIH TYPES (FAMILI: PIPERACEAE) IN KALIJAMBE VILLAGE, KECAMATAN BENER, PURWOREJO DISTRICT

Indonesia is known for its people who are rich in local wisdom and culture. Indonesian people have a lifestyle that likes to take advantage of plants. One type of plant that is widely used is betel-betel from the family Piperaceae. The purpose of this study is to examine the ethnobotany Piperaceae along with its morphology so that it can be used as information for the general public, especially the younger generation who are still confused about the different types of betel. This research was conducted in several stages, namely literature study, field observations, interviews, and data analysis. The method used is descriptive qualitative. Based on field observations, there are six types of betel vines that are known and utilized by the Kalijambe village community, namely P. betle, P. crocatum, P. nigrum, P. cubeba, P. sp., and P. retrofractum. The conclusion of this research is that there are six types of betel (Piperaceae) used by Kalijambe village community. Utilization of Piperaceae in the form of traditional medicines, food, economic value, ritual plants, and ornamental plants.

Ritual plants used by the Manobo tribe of Surigao del Sur, Philippines

Jamera JKAM, Manting MME, Dapar MLG. 2020. Ritual plants used by the Manobo tribe of Surigao del Sur, Philippines. Asian J Ethnobiol 3: 41-50. Manobo tribe is culturally rich in traditional practices, medicinal uses, diversity, and traditional knowledge based on their community plant resources. They dwell in hinterlands and mountainous regions in the southern part of the Philippines and live an intricate life dependent on agriculture and forest plants. Traditional ecological knowledge and beliefs of indigenous peoples play an essential role in the conservation of biodiversity. This study seeks to investigate the use of ritual plants of the Manobo tribe in Hinapuyan, Carmen and Cabangahan, Cantilan, Surigao del Sur and to identify the availability of ritual plants being used. Plant information with the local name, plant parts used, methods of preparation, ritual uses, and Cultural Importance Index (CI) were quantified. This study documented a total of 12 traditional rituals associated with ritual plants. The five identified plant species are being used in tribal rituals belonging to four different families, namely Arecaceae, Piperaceae, Poaceae, and Solanaceae. Arecaceae includes two species, while one species represented each of the rest of the families. Ritual plants with the highest CI were Areca catechu L., Piper betle L., and Nicotiana tabacum L. Manobo ritual plants have a symbolic meaning and rational function. This study is the first documentation of ritual plants presenting traditional ecological knowledge and cultural beliefs that must be saved to maintain biological diversity. The tribe cultivated some ritual plants within the village in addition to their wild plant collection. These ritual plants are conserved and protected by the Manobo community. More investigations are recommended on the ritual plants used among diverse ethnolinguistic groups in the Philippines and other countries.

Documentation of ritual plants used among the Aceh tribe in Peureulak, East Aceh District, Indonesia

Sutrisno IH, Akob B, Navia ZI, Nuraini, Suwardi AB. 2020. Documentation of ritual plants used among the Aceh tribe in Peureulak sub-district, East Aceh, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 4990-4998. Traditional ceremonies as part of human cultural products at a practical level cannot be separated from the use of natural resources, mainly plants. Concerning the use of plants in traditional ceremonies, the knowledge and use of plants by the community are decreasing. This study aims to document the ritual plants used by the Aceh tribe in the East Aceh district of Indonesia. The study was conducted in Peureulak sub-districts, East Aceh district, Indonesia. A field survey was involved 125 respondents were selected using random sampling. The interview used a questionnaire including plant species, vernacular names, uses, parts use, and ritual tradition. A total of 51 ritual plant species consisting of 47 genera and 34 families was used as ritual ceremonies in the study area. Ninety-two percent were cultivated and 8% were found to be growing wild. Most of the plants used for wedding ceremonies (18 species), followed by birth ceremonies (8 species), funeral ceremonies (5 species), and pregnancy ceremony (3 species). Socio-cultural aspects can be considered as being used for the conservation of ritual plants in the East Aceh region.

Etnobotani: tumbuhan ritual keagamaan hindu-bali

Pulau Bali dikenal sebagai pulau seribu pura dengan mayoritas penduduk beragama Hindu menggunakan tumbuhan dalam kegiatan ritual keagamaan Hindu-Bali. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui macam-macam tumbuhan ritual keagamaan Hindu-Bali. Penelitian ini terkait etnobotani yang dilaksanakan pada bulan April tahun 2018 pada tiga lokasi yaitu kebun raya Bali, taman wisata alam Danau Buyan, dan Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, Kabupaten Tabanan dan Buleleng, Bali. Data dikumpulkan melalui teknik wawancara, observasi, dan studi pustaka. Narasumber ditentukan dengan teknik purposive sampling dan simple random sampling. Analisis data dilakukan melalui deskriptif kualitatif. Hasil penelitian ditemukan terdapat 101 spesies tumbuhan yang digunakan dalam ritual keagamaan Hindu-Bali. Bagian umbi 11 spesies, bagian batang 10 spesies, bagian biji 5 spesies, bagian daun 29 spesies, bagian bunga 17 spesies, bagian buah 9 spesies, dan bagian kulit batang 20 spesies. Mayarakat Hindu-Bali mempercayai bahwa suatu warna melambangkan dewa, yaitu kuning melambangkan Mahadewa, hitam melambangkan Dewa Wisnu, putih melambangkan Dewa Shiwa, dan merah melambangkan dewa Brahma.Kata kunci: Etnobotani, Hindu-Bali, tumbuhan ritual Etnobotani: hindu-bali religious ritual plant. Bali Island is known as the Thousand Pura Island with a Hindu population used in Hindu-Balinese religious ritual activities. The study of botany relating to the culture of society is called Ethnobotany. Types of Hindu-Balinese religious rituals. The study was conducted in April 2018 at three locations in the Bali Botanic Garden, Danau Buyan Nature Park, and Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, Tabanan and Buleleng regency, Bali Province. Data collected through interview techniques, observation, and literature study. The informants were determined by purposive sampling and simple random sampling techniques. Data analysis was performed through descriptive qualitative. The results found 101 species of plants used in Hindu-Balinese religious rituals. Tuber parts 11 species, 10 stem species, 20 bark species, 29 leaf species, 17 flower species, 9 fruit species, and 5 species seeds. Hindu-Balinese people believe that one of the colors symbolizes deity, namely yellow symbolizes Mahadeva, black symbolizes Lord Vishnu, white symbolizes Lord Shiva, and red symbolizes the Brahma.Keywords: Ethnobotany, Hindu Bali, ritual plants

Traditional Uses of the Family Piperaceae in Oaxaca, Mexico

The ethnobotanical importance of the family Piperaceae is recognized mainly for its medicinal properties. A total of 106 species of two genera of this family ( Piper and Peperomia) have been collected in Oaxaca, but only 18 are recorded in scientific publications as medicinal, edible, veterinary, or ritual plants. The objectives of this study are to describe the traditional knowledge and uses of the Piperaceae in areas of high biocultural diversity of Oaxaca and to analyze the relationship between its geographic distribution with ethnobotanical records among ethnic groups. Fieldwork was carried out between 2013 and 2016, and voucher specimens were reviewed in Mexican herbaria. Two multivariate analyses were applied to compare the geographic distribution of Piperaceae with ethnobotanical knowledge in Oaxaca. A total of 13 species of Peperomia, and 7 of Piper were collected, besides some unidentified species of both genera. Seven use categories were registered, with medicinal and edible being the most important. A high percentage (65%) of the species is named in at least one native language. Most species have a single use, mainly medicinal. Peperomia has been collected in Oaxaca since 1980, while Piper since 1960. Multivariate analysis indicated the existence of a differentiated ethnobotanical knowledge of this family among ethnic groups, related to the geographic distribution of species. This study evidences that ethnic groups, who maintain areas of higher biodiversity, obtain these species mainly from the wild, from specific microenvironments; hence, conservation practices must be reinforced for them, as for all ecosystems in general.