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VOL. 6, ISSUE 5 (2021)
Ethnobotanical indigenous knowledge, systems and practices (IKSP) in Western Mindanao, Philippines: The sea nomads “Bajau” of Zamboanga City
Authors
Genelyn G Madjos, Kay P Ramos
Abstract
Anchored on Republic Act No. 8371 that recognizes, promotes and preserves the indigenous knowledge, systems and practices (IKSP) and the government’s Universal Health Care Law that guarantees quality health care of all Filipinos, this study documents the ethnobotanical practices of the sea nomads known as “Bajau” in Zamboanga City of Western Mindanao, Philippines. A total of 30 snowball-sampled key informants were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Key informants should have utilized medicinal plants for at least a year at the Ayuda Bajau Village, Maasin, Zamboanga City. Data were then categorized into 16 use categories and quantify the most frequently used species in each category. Plant relative importance was determined using quantitative ethnobotanical indices: use report (UR), use value (UV), fidelity level (FL), and informant consensus factor (ICF). Results enumerated 36 medicinal plant species in 35 genera and belonging to 27 families. The top medicinal plant used was Caesalpinia sappan “Sibukaw” in terms of UR, UV, FL, and ICF. Two medicinally important plants among the sea nomads were documented locally named as “Kayumanis” and “Kambal-simangko” which are commercially sold in Chinese drugstore and needs further molecular authentication. “Kamanyan” (incense) is used during their religious healing ritual “pag-omboh”. Literature review of these documented medicinal plants provides scientific support on their medicinal uses and applications. Although Bajau people have an intimate association with the sea, they still manage to preserve their ethnobotanical practices, which are being passed on by their ancestors.
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Pages:819-825
How to cite this article:
Genelyn G Madjos, Kay P Ramos "Ethnobotanical indigenous knowledge, systems and practices (IKSP) in Western Mindanao, Philippines: The sea nomads “Bajau” of Zamboanga City ". International Journal of Botany Studies, Vol 6, Issue 5, 2021, Pages 819-825
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