Ethnobotany of the Samburu of Mt. Nyiru, South Turkana, Kenya
Author Information
Author(s): Rainer W Bussmann
Primary Institution: University of Hawaii, Lyon Arboretum
Hypothesis
What traditional plant uses do the Samburu people of Mt. Nyiru have?
Conclusion
The Samburu have retained a high level of traditional plant knowledge despite modern influences.
Supporting Evidence
- The Samburu attributed uses to 249 out of 448 plant species collected.
- 180 species were identified as fodder, while 80 had medicinal uses.
- The study highlights the importance of traditional plant knowledge in the Samburu community.
Takeaway
The Samburu people know a lot about the plants around them and use many of them for food, medicine, and other purposes.
Methodology
Plants were collected and identified through field interviews and discussions with local informants.
Potential Biases
There may be biases in the data due to the reliance on local informants and their willingness to share knowledge.
Limitations
The study may not capture all plant uses due to reliance on oral knowledge and potential biases in informant responses.
Participant Demographics
The study involved the Samburu pastoralists of Mt. Nyiru, who are primarily nomadic.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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