Ethnic differences in use values and use patterns of Parkia biglobosa in Northern Benin
Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine
Ethnic differences in use values and use patterns of Parkia biglobosa in Northern Benin
Kourouma Koura 0
Jean C Ganglo 0
Achille E Assogbadjo 0
Clment Agbangla 1
0 Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi , Cotonou (01 PO Box 526) , Benin
1 Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Abomey-Calavi , Cotonou (01 PO Box 526) , Benin
Background: African locust bean tree (Parkia biglobosa) is a multipurpose species used widely in arid Africa by local communities. The present study focused on ethnic differences in use values and use patterns of P. biglobosa in Northern Benin, where the species widely grows. The use values according to the various ethnic groups in the study area have been evaluated in detail for P. biglobosa. Methods: From 13 ethnic groups, 1587 people were interviewed in the study area using semi-structured questionnaires. Principal Component Analysis was applied to analyze the use value and the use patterns of P. biglobosa for the different ethnic groups. Results: All interviewees in the study area knew at least one use of P. biglobosa. The various uses identified were medicinal (47%), handicraft and domestic (3%), medico-magic (1%), veterinary (1%), cultural (1%), food (25%) and commercial (22%). The various parts involved in these types of uses were: fruits [shell (2%), pulp (22%) and seeds (36%)], bark (17%), leaves (9%), roots (3%), flowers (1%) and branches (10%). The ethnic group consensus values for P. biglobosa parts showed that the seeds are used the most. The interviewees diversity value (ID) and equitability value (IE) indicated that knowledge concerning P. biglobosa use was distributed homogeneously among the ethnic groups. Conclusions: P. biglobosa is well-known and used in different ways by the local populations in the study area. Local knowledge on the species is diversified and influenced by ethnic group. Ethnic differences in use values and use patterns of the species were evident in this study.
Parkia biglobosa; quantitative ethnobotany; use value; use pattern; Benin
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Background
In the Sahelian and Sudanian zones of West Africa,
woody perennial parklands are very important for food
security, especially during food shortage and drought
periods [1]. Within these parkland systems, Parkia
biglobosa species has important socio-economic and cultural
values for local people. Moreover, it is a food species
whose importance is well recognized both regionally
and internationally [2]. In Benin, P. biglobosa is an
important tree species which generates non-timber
forest products [3,4]. It is a basic and therapeutic food and
is a source of wealth [5]. The pulp of the fruit pods is
rich in sucrose and the seeds are rich in carbohydrates,
proteins and lipids, thus constituting an important
source of energy [6]. P. biglobosa is rated fifth important
among thirty-one woody medicinal plants used in
traditional medicine in Benin [4]. It is rated fourth from a
list of eighteen priority food woody plants to preserve
[7]. In association with crops, the species help to enrich
physico-chemical soil characteristics which in turn help
to increase crop yields.
It has been noted in Benin, that this species
population is ageing. In addition, the natural regeneration of
the species is very low [8,9]. Studies have indeed shown
a decrease in the distribution of the species in Benin
[10]. Due to the socio-economic and cultural
importance of this species, communities tend to over utilize
the plant species without taking into account the
regeneration potential of the species [4,11].
A number of studies have been conducted on P.
biglobosa in the West African sub-region and particularly in
Benin. In West Africa, previous research has focused on
the distribution of the species populations, phenology,
reproductive system, vegetative multiplication, biology
and ecology of reproduction [2]. In the parklands in
Benin, P. biglobosa was morphologically and structurally
characterized and fruit production was assessed on the
basis of floristic inventory and measurement of
reproductive organ sizes [9]. From microbiological and
physico-chemical points of view, it was noted that P.
biglobosa seeds could be fermented for the production
of afitin, iru and sonru (local names for
condiments from the seeds of P. biglobosa) [12,13]. Volatile
and aromatic compounds were also identified in these
condiments in order to obtain, products of aromatic
characteristics demanded by consumers. The place and
role of this tree in the daily life of rural communities
has been investigated [2,10,14,15].
Several research studies have been carried out on use
values and use patterns of different species (such as
Adansonia digitata, Khaya senegalensis, Milicia excelsa,
Caesalpinia bonduc, Sclerocarya birrea) elsewhere
[16-21] and in Benin [22-29]. However, little scientific
information is available on quantitative descriptors of P.
biglobosas utilization, especially the use v (...truncated)