Abstract Detail

Ethnobotany

Nnamani, Catherine V [1], Atkinson, Christopher J. [2], Nwite, Joel E. [3].

Etymology of Folk Nomenclatures for Sphenostysis stenocarpa (Hoechst ex A. Rich) Harms.

Folk nomenclature is habitually established for species that have attained high utilitarian and cultural significances by custodians of such plants worldwide. Such folk names assigned to species often carry etymological values such as therapeutic effects, morphological features, mythical connotations, and their allegorical values. This research sought to unveil the etymology in folk nomenclatures of Sphenostysis stenocarpa (Hosch ex A. Rich) Harms (African Yam Bean). Three hundred and fifty respondents were randomly selected from 13 local communities in South-eastern, Nigeria. Data were collected through oral interviews with semi-structural questionnaires, along with focused group discussions. Analysis of data was carried out using simple statistical methods. Variables which were significant were then subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results recorded ten folk nomenclatures assigned to this species in seven dialects affiliated to cultural values within these communities. Etymologically, the result also revealed that out of the ten folk names of AYB cryptic connotations, five reflected their trust in their gods that answered their prayers, two were attributed to the healing potentials inherent in this crop for medicine, three names were associated with the seeds accruing from the plant, while one referred to feminist attachment to the crop, another reflects to its resilience/adaptability to climatic stress and one as a sustainer of farmers. Considering that folk nomenclature is based mainly on qualitative data and the information outside the scientific domain, they are nonetheless highly valued because they are based on long-term interactions, utilization and observations of the custodians of these natural resources. However, it is equally vulnerable to erosion if not properly documented and conserved for posterity. Keywords: Etymological values, traditional knowledge, classification, custodians, Sphenostysis stenocarpa.

1 - Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria, Applied Biology, No 3 Mberi Street, Abakaliki, Nigeria, Ebonyi State, EB, PMB 053, Nigeria
2 - University of Greenwich, Medway Campus, Natural Resources Institute,, Medway Campus, Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime,, Kent , UK
3 - Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria, Applied Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences. Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, Nigeria, Abakaliki, Ebonyi, 480001, Nigeria

Keywords:
Etymological
traditional knowledge
classification
custodians
Sphenostysis stenocarpa.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: ETH1, Ethnobotany
Location: San Luis 2/Starr Pass
Date: Tuesday, July 30th, 2019
Time: 8:30 AM
Number: ETH1003
Abstract ID:157
Candidate for Awards:None