Indigenous Knowledge is Critical to Food Security: An Ethnobotanical Study of Food Plants Utilized by the Matigsalug-Manobo Tribe of Bukidnon, Philippines

Dave P Buenavista

Abstract


Indigenous peoples and their knowledge systems are now viewed as a vital component of global targets reflected in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within the context of achieving SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), ethnobotanical surveys and semi-structured interviews were carried out in collaboration with the Federation of Matigsalug-Manobo Tribal Councils, Inc. (FEMMATRICS), to document the diversity, utilization, and biocultural refugia of agrobiodiversity and wild edible plants of the Matigsalug Manobo Tribe in Sinuda, Bukidnon, Philippines. Results of the quantitative ethnobotanical analysis showed that the Matigsalug-Manobo food system is composed of 62 species of edible plants belonging to 50 genera and 33 botanical families. A total of 804  use-reports were accounted in all 9 FAO use-categories: 4 species (6.45%) were consumed as cereals, 6 species (9.67%) were white roots, tubers, and plantains, 2 species (3.22%) were Vitamin A-rich vegetables and tubers, 18 species (29.03%) were eaten as green leafy vegetables, 15 species (24.19%) were categorized as other vegetables, 3 species (4.83%) were Vitamin A-rich fruits, 28 species (45.16%) were considered as other fruits, 11 species (17.74%) were classified as legumes, nuts, and seeds, and 15 species (24.19%) were used as spices, condiments, and beverages. Unlike the rice-centred diet of the majority of Filipinos, the Matigsalug-Manobo food system relies on diverse staples like cassava, plantain, taro, and other cultivated and wild edible plants. The various collection sites of the Matigsalug-Manobo tribe may be considered as a food biocultural refugia in view of its socio-ecological function in food security, biodiversity conservation, and preservation of indigenous knowledge.

Keywords


ethnobotany, food security, indigenous food system, indigenous peoples, Mindanao, sustainable development goals

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.26555/intl%20con.v3i1.14175

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