i Parkia biglobosa - School of Forest Resources & Environmental ...

Chapter 8 Conclusions
The study of ethnobotany can have two goals or perspectives for a researcher.
One goal is discovering new natural products of commercial value for the benefit of the
developed world. The second goal is studying the local knowledge and the value local
people associate with plants. Using this knowledge, one seeks possible conservation
measures or local resource management strategies to protect this resource (Martin 1995).
In this study, I concentrated on the second goal. I wanted to document and understand
the economic and social value of P. biglobosa and non-timber forest products derived
from the tree and their importance to the people of Kandiga.
The results of this study show that P. biglobosa has many diverse uses and is
considered an extremely valuable resource in Kandiga. The main and primary use is as a
food source. Mature seedpods produce dark brown smooth seeds known locally as zuini,
which provide the raw material for producing dawadawa, a fermented and favored
condiment used in soups and stews. Dawadawa provides a desirable protein and fat
source for the nutrient poor diet. The seeds which are gathered by women and children,
also provide household income sold as seeds or when prepared as dawadawa. The
starchy yellow endocarp or pulp that surrounds the seeds is an important source of
carbohydrates and energy source, especially during the hunger season when other food is
scarce.
P. biglobosa is a precious and convenient resource for producing traditional
medicines. People in Kandiga cannot afford expensive western medicines, and various
parts of the tree are macerated, crushed, ground, and boiled to create tonics and ointments
to treat many different ailments. Diarrhea, dysentery, eye infection, wounds, and leprosy
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