Traditional knowledge about mushrooms in a Nahua community in the state of Tlaxcala, México

Montoya, Adriana; Hernández-Totomoch, O.; Estrada–Torres, Arturo; Kong, Alejandro; Caballero, Javier

doi:10.1080/15572536.2004.11833038

Cited by 39 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Pieroni [21] was the first including in his dataset some (8) mushroom species, but his index does not take into account the particularities of mushrooms and the knowledge around them. Montoya et al [22] used the frequency of mention from a free listing as an indicator of CS of mushrooms. By correlating these frequencies with the abundance and price of mushrooms, she found that the frequency of mention has a low but positive correlation with prices and a medium negative correlation with abundance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding cultural significance, the edible mushrooms case

Garibay-Orijel

Caballero

Estrada–Torres

et al. 2007

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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BackgroundCultural significance is a keystone in quantitative ethnobiology, which offers the possibility to make inferences about traditional nomenclature systems, use, appropriation and valuing of natural resources. In the present work, using as model the traditional mycological knowledge of Zapotecs from Oaxaca, Mexico, we analyze the cultural significance of wild edible resources.MethodsIn 2003 we applied 95 questionnaires to a random sample of informants. With this data we integrated the Edible Mushroom Cultural Significance Index. This index included eight variables: frequency of mention, perceived abundance, use frequency, taste, multifunctional food use, knowledge transmission, health and economy. Data were analyzed in an inductive perspective using ordination and grouping techniques to reveal the behavior of species in a cultural multivariate dimension.ResultsIn each variable the species had different conducts. Cantharellus cibarius s.l. was the species with most frequency of mention. Pleurotus sp. had the highest perceived abundance. C. cibarius s.l. was the most frequently consumed species. Gomphus clavatus was the most palatable species and also ranked highest in the multifunctional food index. Cortinarius secc.Malacii sp. had the highest traditional importance. Only Tricholoma magnivelare was identified as a health enhancer. It also had the most economic importance. According to the compound index, C. cibarius s.l., the Amanita caesarea complex, Ramaria spp. and Neolentinus lepideus were the mushrooms with highest cultural significance. Multivariate analysis showed that interviewees identify three main groups of mushrooms: species with high traditional values, frequent consumption and known by the majority; species that are less known, infrequently consumed and without salient characteristics; and species with low traditional values, with high economic value and health enhancers.ConclusionThe compound index divided the cultural significance into several cultural domains and showed the causes that underlie this phenomenon. This approach can be used in cross-cultural studies because it brings a list with the relative position of species among a cultural significance gradient. This list is suitable for comparisons and also it is flexible because cultural variables can be included or removed to adjust it to the nature of the different cultures or resources under study.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding cultural significance, the edible mushrooms case

Garibay-Orijel

Caballero

Estrada–Torres

et al. 2007

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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show abstract

“…During these excursions, local mushroom species named or recognized by the interviewees were considered as ethnotaxa, which could include one or several taxonomically recognized species (Zent and Zent 2011). The mushrooms were photographed in the field to create a visual stimulus and to confirm the correspondence of each species with their traditional name (Montoya et al 2012). The mushrooms were described in fresh condition, dehydrated, and determined using conventional mycological techniques based on their macroscopic and microscopic characteristics (Largent et al 1977;Largent 1981), and specialized literature.…”

Section: Data Collection and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the centre of Mexico, women are usually in charge of collecting and selling mushrooms or, when both genders carry out this practice, men traverse greater distances because women often carried or took children with them and thus were slower (Montoya et al 2003(Montoya et al , 2008. However, in the studied communities, the mushroom collection was carried out by both women and men, often accompanied by their children making it a family activity (Fig.…”

Section: Ecologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Because of the effort collecting requires, most people prefer to consume them directly or to give them to family or close friends. There are consequently few specialists collecting mushrooms for sale, unlike in central Mexico where there are specialist called hongueros -mushroom experts, collectors, and sellers (Montoya et al 2003(Montoya et al , 2008Ruan-Soto et al 2006).…”

Section: Edible Mushroomsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Traditional knowledge, uses, and perceptions of mushrooms among the Wixaritari and mestizos of Villa Guerrero, Jalisco, Mexico

2019

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The relationship between humans and nature is defined by culture. Accordingly, the use, conceptions, and perceptions of resources differ among cultural groups, even among those inhabiting the same region or those who come into contact with the same biota. In particular, mushrooms evoke a wide range of sentiments. During ethnobiological tours in Mexico, semi-structured interviews were carried out with 37 individuals of each community, from ten Wixarika and mestizo communities, living in the same locality and sharing similar resources, in the municipality of Villa Guerrero in northern Jalisco, Mexico. Furthermore, informal interviews with four Wixarika and five mestizo key informants were conducted. The topics treated were regarding the traditional nomenclature and classification, uses, and knowledge of mushrooms and related practices. Wixarika names of 37 mushroom species with edible, medicinal, and recreational uses were recorded. In addition, the Wixaritari were found to associate toxic mushrooms with the divine, as evidenced by one case of the use of mushrooms as a hierophanic agent. Each culture’s knowledge of the phenology and ecology of mushrooms was recorded in addition to data highlighting the cultural exchange between the Wixaritari and mestizos. However, a loss in the knowledge and practices concerning mushrooms was observed as a result of social changes. Even so, both cultures prefer mushrooms to other foods, including meat, especially Volvariella bombycina and Pleurotus djamor.

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“…El cuitlacoche para la belleza femenina Montoya et al (2002Montoya et al ( , 2003 han registrado el uso del cuitlacoche con propósitos cosméticos para la belleza femenina. Según sus estudios, se utiliza para suavizar y refrescar la piel.…”

Section: Ustilago Maydis Y La Medicina Tradicionalunclassified

Cujtlacochi. El cuitlacoche

Azúa¹,

Fuentes²,

Alvarez³

2011

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Traditional knowledge about mushrooms in a Nahua community in the state of Tlaxcala, México

Cited by 39 publications

References 3 publications

Understanding cultural significance, the edible mushrooms case

Understanding cultural significance, the edible mushrooms case

Traditional knowledge, uses, and perceptions of mushrooms among the Wixaritari and mestizos of Villa Guerrero, Jalisco, Mexico

Cujtlacochi. El cuitlacoche

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