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Ethnobotanical Investigation Into the Mandi Ethnic Community in Bangladesh

PAVEL PARTHA
Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK), House 50, Road 16 (new), Dhanmondi, Dhaka 1209, Bangladesh

A.B.M. ENAYET HOSSAIN
Department of Botany, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The present ethnobotanical investigation has been carried out into the Mandi ethnic communities of 32 villages of seven upazillas of Dhaka and Sylhet Divisions in Bangladesh. A total of 109 plant species belonging to 59 plant families were found to be used by the communities to treat 38 common human diseases, in ethnoveterinary practices, for pest control, as food, and also to perform rituals, taboos and hunting.

Keywords: Ethnobotany, Ethnic community, Mandi, Bangladesh

Location: Dhaka Division

Start Date: 00-12-2000

End Date: 00-05-2002

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Tree

Objectives:

1. To explore the inter-relationships between plants, human beings, environment, ecology and traditional knowledge and culture of the Mandi ethnic community in 32 villages of two divisions in central-north and north-eastern Bangladesh.

Methodology:

Mandi ethnic community: Mandi is the largest marginalized ethnic community in the Dhaka Division of Bangladesh. Total Mandi population in Bangladesh is about 64,280. Mandis are generally known as 'Garo', but they call themselves 'Mandi'. In their 'A`tchik' dialect 'Mandi' means ‘human being’. Study area: The present investigation was carried out between December 2000 and May 2002 into the Mandi ethnic communities of 32 different villages of Sunamganj Sadar and Tahirpur Upazillas (Sunamganj District) of Sylhet Division; and Durgapur and Kalmakanda Upazillas (Netrokona District), Nalitabari Upazilla (Sherpur District), Haluaghat and Dhubaura Upazillas (Mymensingh District) and Madhupur Upazilla (Tangail District) of Dhaka Division. Information collection: The ethnobotanical information was collected by ‘participant observations’, from focus group discussions, and interviewing local people and local medicine men who prescribe their own herbal preparations. For ethnobotanical research, ‘participant observation’ is given more preference. For this participant observation, a researcher has to live with the ethnic people for a long time. But owing to limited scope and allocated time for the present ethnobotanical survey, the first author could only spend few trips to the specified areas and stay for a short while with the informants. However, the present endeavour was initiated far back in 1997 through repeated visits to various ethnic areas and making friendship with the ethnic communities. Although visits had been made since 1997, much time was spent from December 2000 to May 2002 for the present ethnobotanical investigation reported in this communication. In their every social and cultural activities and festivals, both physical and mental participation was made during the period of the survey. Plant material collection: A large number of plant materials were collected during the present survey and were preserved as herbarium sheets. During plant collection and making herbarium specimens, unknown, little known and important plants were given more preference. All the herbarium specimens are preserved in the Jahangirnagar University Herbarium (JUH), Department of Botany, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342. The JUH allows anybody to use these specimens for academic and research purposes.

Source of Information: Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 14(2): 129-145, 2007 (December)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Most of the Mandi people rely upon surrounding plant wealth for their health-care, food and other life accessories. Present ethnobotanical investigation generated important information that might be useful for health-care programme, economic and agricultural policy development, alternative food programme, development of essential drugs, and biodiversity conservation action plan for Bangladesh.

Knowledge Management: Journal