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Agriculture and use of wild and weedy greens by thePiik AP Oom okiek of Kenya

Agriculture et utilisation des verts sauvages et de weedy près des OkiekPiik ap Oom du Kenya

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Abstract

This study documents patterns of use of wild and weedy greens in a previously little studied context among the Piik ap Oom Okiek of Kenya. The Piik ap Oom have a hunter-gatherer history and at the time of the study lived at low population densities in a high altitude forest habitat. Leafy greens, both wild and domesticated, were the most commonly eaten fresh plant food documented. Wild greens,Solanum nigrum L. andAmaranthus graecizans ssp.sylvestris L. were the most preferred. Patterns of harvesting wild greens, a few leaves from many plants and a variety of taxa together, resulted in greater dietary diversity associated with consumption of wild than domesticated greens. Greens provided contemporary Okiek households with nutritious and low maintenance plant food. Increased use of wild and weedy greens was an important benefit of the adoption of the agricultural complex by the Okiek.

Resumen

Cette étude documente les habitudes d’utilisation des plantes sauvages à feuilles comestibles dans le contexte jusqu’id peu étudié des OkiekPiik tap Oom du Kenya. Les Piik ap Oom ont une histoire de chasse et de cueillette et vivent en densité faible dans un habitat forestier à haute altitude. Les plantes à feuilles, sauvages et domestiques, représentent la nourriture la plus consommée.Solanum nigrum L. etAmaranthus graecizans ssp.sylvestris L. sont les plantes sauvages les plus prisees. L’habitude de récolter des plantes sauvages, quelques feuilles provenant de nombreuses plantes, représentant ensemble une variété de taxons, se traduit par une grande diversité alimentaire associée à la consommation de plantes sauvages plutôt que domestiques. Les plantes constituent pour les ménages Okiek d’aujourd’hui une nourriture nutritive à faible entretien. L’utilisation croissante de plantes sauvages à feuilles comestibles représente un avantage important lié à I’adoption, par les Okiek, du système agricole.

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  1. Department of Anthropology, Washington University—St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1114, 63130, St. Louis

    Fiona Marshall

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Marshall, F. Agriculture and use of wild and weedy greens by thePiik AP Oom okiek of Kenya. Econ Bot 55, 32–46 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02864544

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