INIBIOMA   20415
INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIONES EN BIODIVERSIDAD Y MEDIOAMBIENTE
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Cultural Transmission of Traditional Knowledge in two populations of North-western Patagonia
Autor/es:
CECILIA EYSSARTIER; ANA LADIO; MARIANA LOZADA
Revista:
Journal of ethnobiology and ethnopharmacology
Referencias:
Año: 2008
ISSN:
1746-4269
Resumen:
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Background
In the present study we have investigated the cultural transmission of
two types of traditional plant knowledge in two communities of North-western
Patagonia, Argentina. In the Pilcaniyeu community, we studied the transmission
of traditional knowledge related to horticultural practices in home-gardens,
greenhouses and gardens; while in the community of Cuyin Manzano, we studied
wild plant gathering customs.
Methods
Ethnobotanical fieldwork
was conducted by means of semi-structured interviews, in which we investigated which plants are
used, at what life history phase was learned, modes of transmission and who the
principal transmitters were in childhood and adulthood. In both communities,
each of this three aspects related to cultural transmission were categorized and the frequencies of each category were obtained. The total
number of species recorded in each community was also calculated. Frequencies
were analyzed with the
Chi-square test of independence.
Results and discussion
In both communities, transmission of traditional plant knowledge begins
at an early age, as a family custom, in which women play a predominant role.
Wild plant use and horticultural knowledge continue to be learned during
adulthood. This was particularly registered associated with horticultural
learning, which receives greater influence from extension agents who are
introducing new practices and technology. This outside influence, which implies
novelty, could imply syncretism but also traditional knowledge loss.
Conclusions
Given
the remarkable acculturation processes occurring at present in rural
communities of Northwestern Patagonia, it might be of vital importance to
document traditional knowledge of ancient practices. Moreover, it could be
interesting to share our results with both populations in order to encourage
participatory activities within the communities which could enhance traditional
knowledge horizontal transmission, particularly among elder adults and
youngsters.