Wild Leafy Vegetable Use and Knowledge Across Multiple Sites in Morocco
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Powell et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2014, 10:34 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/10/1/34 JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE RESEARCH Open Access Wild leafy vegetable use and knowledge across multiple sites in Morocco: a case study for transmission of local knowledge? Bronwen Powell1,2*, Abderrahim Ouarghidi3, Timothy Johns2, Mohamed Ibn Tattou4 and Pablo Eyzaguirre5 Abstract Background: There are few publications on the use and diversity of wild leafy vegetables (WLVs) in Morocco. In order to address this gap, we conducted ethnobotanical field work in Taounate, Azilal and El House regions. Methods: Ethnobotanical collections, free listing, qualitative interviews and a 7 day food frequency questionnaire. Results: More than 30 species in 23 genera of WLV were identified. Of these 4 had not previously recorded as WLVs used in Morocco in the literature. WLVs were used by 84% of households surveyed in Taounate (N = 61, in March 2005), and were used up to 4 times a week. Qualitative data revealed both positive and negative perceptions of WLVs and detailed knowledge about preparation among women. The greatest diversity of WLV knowledge and use was in the Rif Mountains (Taounate). There was significant variation in nomenclature and salience of WLVs, not only between regions, but also between villages in the same region. Within the same region (or even village) different local names were used for a given species or genus, and different species were identified by the same local name (including species from different botanical families). Data showed greater overlap in knowledge among villages using the same market. Conclusion: We believe the results suggest that markets are important sites for WLV knowledge transmission. Keywords: Wild food, Leafy vegetables, Traditional food, Traditional food system, Local knowledge, Ethnobotany, Nomenclature, Nutrition Introduction gap in scientific documentation may be explained by the Until recently, wild food use in Morocco has been sig- seasonal or geographic variation in use, the fact that much nificantly under-reported in the literature. In a recent of the botanical and ethnobotanical research conducted in publication, Nassif and Tanji [1] list almost 80 species Morocco has been overseen by male researchers and wild used as wild vegetables in Morocco (see table one which vegetables are a women’s domain, and the fact that most lists all wild vegetables, as well as fruits, seeds and other ethnobotanical work in Morocco focuses on medicinal and wild foods), identified from francophone grey literature aromatic plants. In an effort to further scientific documen- sources and their own anecdotal observation in the field. tation on this topic, this paper documents the distribution They note the need for systematic studies of wild foods and use of wild vegetables across multiple sites in Taou- in Morocco, similar to those that have been carried out nate, Azilal, and El Haouz, using botanical identifica- in other regions. tion and voucher collection. Herein we examine Before Nassif and Tanji’s 2013 [1] publication only a few geographic differences in use, diversity, salience and wild vegetables species had been list in Morocco in Tanji ethnobotanical nomenclature of WLVs. We conclude by and Nassif 1995 [2] and Hadjichambis et al. 2008 [3]. The examining potential drivers of geographic variation in no- menclature and use. Wild vegetables are an important component of trad- * Correspondence: [email protected] 1Centre for International Forestry Research, Bogor, Indonesia itional food systems around the world [4,5]. Wild vegetables 2School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, McGill University, Montreal, Canada are a distinct cultural domain in the knowledge systems of Full list of author information is available at the end of the article © 2014 Powell et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated. Powell et al. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2014, 10:34 Page 2 of 11 http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/10/1/34 many communities. They are called “Liakra” in Arberesh, of WLV consumption, obtained from a 7 day food fre- Southern Italy [6], “Michicha” by the Shambaa in Tanzania quency questionnaire are reported, followed by qualitative [7,8] and “Rau Dai” in Vietnam [9]. Likewise, in Morocco data on perceptions and knowledge of WLVs. The paper they are known as Bakola or Khobiza, terms which also also includes an examination of geographic variation in use, refer to the best known WLV Malva spp.. In this paper we salience and nomenclature and a discussion of the potential use the term wild leafy vegetables (WLVs) because almost role of markets in the transmission of knowledge about all wild vegetables in Morocco are leafy; however, we also WLVs. The paper concludes with thoughts on the role include species used for their stems or other vegetative of WLV in traditional food systems and nutrition, and parts as they are also considered part of the cultural the potential role of markets in nutrition education domain Baloka or Khobiza.Aromaticplantsusedas and public health nutrition campaigns in Morocco. seasoning or in tea are not included. WLVs are essential to the nutrition and food security Methods of people around the world. WLVs add diversity to the Study sites diet; making diets healthier and more interesting [9-11]. Morocco has one of the highest level of biodiversity in Studies have shown the significant contribution of WLVs the Mediterranean [22] and is also a country facing sig- to micronutrient content of local diets in developing nificant issues in overcoming malnutrition. The country countries [9,12]. WLVs can be important, not just in is undergoing a nutrition transition [23,24]: 36.6% of times of food scarcity (drought) but throughout the year women are estimated to be overweight or obese [25] while [10,13,14]. In many cases, WLVs are especially important micronutrient deficiencies (especially vitamin A and iron) to socio-economically vulnerable groups [10] and indi- remain a problem [26]. The national prevalence of vitamin genous populations forced to live on marginal lands for A deficiency (serum retinol < 20 μg/dl) in children under 5 social and political reasons [15]. In such groups WLVs years old was estimated to be 35.1% in 2007 [26] and can decrease people’s dependence on cash-purchased stunting remains a problem, with 23.6% of rural children market foods and provide income for those with limited stunted (Height for age Z score −2 S.D.) [25]. The country access to land for cultivation of crops [7,15]. now faces a double burden of disease; with chronic The use of WLVs is suggested to be declining around nutrition-related disease and micronutrient deficiency and the world [16], a shift associated with a general nutrition infectious disease simultaneously problematic. Because and dietary transition [17]. Chweya and Eyzaguirre [16] WLVs were historically not well documented in the coun- cite numerous causes for declining use of traditional and try, efforts to address both micronutrient deficiency wild vegetables in Africa including: decreased availability and chronic nutrition-related diseases have made little due to biodiversity loss and change in agricultural prac- mention of the potential benefits of them and other tise, government and development policies that ignore traditional foods. As is the case elsewhere in the world, WLVs; loss of knowledge needed for gathering and prep- the high number of species used, geographical vari- aration; and a general loss of cultural value for WLVs. ation in use and nomenclature and lack of nutritional Highlighting that at-risk groups suffer the most from de- composition data, has surely contributed to the lack of creasing availability of WLVs, are studies showing that it incorporation of WLVs into nutritional and agricul- is poor women who first notice declines in availability tural research and education [16]. and diversity of WLVs species [15,18]. Socio economic This paper presents data from 3 ecologically distinct re- and cultural devaluation is a frequently noted factor in gions: Taounate, Azilal, and El Haouz provinces (Figure 1). the declining use of WLVs around the world [16,19,20]. Taounate is located in the Rif Mountains about 80 km In Nepal, nettles (Urtica spp.) are eaten by monks living north of Fes in northern Morocco. The main livelihood ac- a life of frugality and thus are considered to be part of tivity in the area is agriculture; however, although no house- only the most meagre diet [15]. In Spain WLVs are seen holds involved in the research reported direct participation as ‘old-fashioned’ and time-consuming to collect, despite in cannabis cultivation, many in the area earn some or most the fact that many people like the taste and enjoy gather- of their annual income through involvement in cannabis ing them [19]. WLVs are an integral part of the biodiver- trade. In Taounate work was conducted primarily in three sity of agro-ecosystems that enhances resilience of the villages: Izara (IZR), Sidi Sinoun (SSN) and Chachia (CHC). traditional food system, and provides local and culturally Additional research was also carried out with roadside ven- appropriate options to help mitigate both chronic, diet dors in Ait Bouhamou (ABH). Azilal is located 160 km east and over-nutrition related diseases and micronutrient of Marrakech in the High Atlas Mountains (central-eastern deficiency concurrently [4,5,21]. Morocco). The area is considered under-developed with This paper reports the results of a free listing exercise limited potential for agriculture and tourism.