Diversitas Journal (Apr 2023)
Ethnobotanical knowledge in the Quilombo Castainho, Garanhuns – Pernambuco, Brazil.
Abstract
The quilombola communities are distributed throughout Brazil, living on subsistence activities such as agriculture and livestock. The study of these populations contributes to the recording of knowledge, culture and associated biodiversity. The present work aimed to analyze the knowledge about the diversity of useful plants of Castainho, Garanhuns–Pernambuco. The research was conducted through semi-structured interviews, associated with the guided tour technique, which consists of collecting the species mentioned with the help of a local specialist, after collect the plants were dried in a 40º C greenhouse, prepared in exsiccates and taken for identification. The data from the interviews were categorized in Excel. Statistical analyses were performed in the Bioestat 5.3 software. As a result, 64 people participated between men (25%) and women (75%). The age range of the informants ranged from 18 to 91 years, with a higher frequency in the range of 47 to 57, age in which there was a greater number of citations. We recorded 158 ethnospecies arranged in 68 botanical families composed of native (40%) and exotic (60%) species indicated mainly as food and medicinal. The territorial fragmentation of the community and the real estate expansion in its surroundings are factors associated locally with the reduction of diversity, which may justify the lower rate of native plants. The lack of interest among the younger ones and the forgetfulness reported by the elderly may compromise the transmission of knowledge. Women have a strong participation in the maintenance of traditional practices They constitute a way to strengthen biocultural relations in Castainho.
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