From TKWB - Traditional Knowledge World Bank
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| GENERAL DEFINITION OF THE TECHNIQUE |
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| Technique: |
WOMEN’S KNOWLEDGE OF PLANTS |
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Definition characters description and diffusion
During the Palaeolithic Age women played a significant role as bearers and conveyers of knowledge.
General characters description and diffusion
Berries, roots, seeds and edible larvae were first recognised by women and children, owing to their natural bent for taking and tasting whatever they found, out of curiosity or simply for fun. As a matter of fact, the most widespread plants had bright colours and forms, such as leguminous plants, datura and belladonna, or an intense smell, such as aromatic herbs. In the modern age as well, such plants as tomatoes, potatoes and tobacco were introduced to Europe for merely ornamental use at first.
Advantages and sustainability
Women have an extensive knowledge of the plants’ powers: their vegetative energy, the power of life in a seed and its disposition to reproduce and be cultivated; and they learnt to store and carry plants as well. They recognize varieties suited to the uplands, lowlands, wetlands and saline soils and those that would remain productive well into the dry season.
Images
Deepening
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TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUE DATA
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| Reference: |
www.ipogea.org |
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