Tallei, Trina Ekawati
(2012)
Indigenous Knowledge of Minangkabau Community in the Conservation of Local Plant and Genetic Diversity.
Pasific Journal, 3 (7).
pp. 1452-1454.
ISSN 1907-9672
Abstract
This paper discusses the current issues on achieving sustainable food security through understanding the role of indigenous knowledge in conserving plant and genetic diversity of local agricultural product in Minangkabau. Minangkabau is an ethnic group indigenous to the highlands of West Sumatera (Indonesia). It is amongst the world’s largest matrilineal society. In Minangkabau ceremonies, food plays a central role which honour religious and life cycle rites. The food ingredients and spices are rich in biodiversity, creating a demand for genetic diversity conservation for supporting food security in the future. Conservation of genetic diversity of the ingredients and spices are passed through indigenous knowledge as verbal communications which consist of beliefs, customs, tools, techniques, and rituals. These kinds of knowledge are in sense of producing, choosing, and preparing foods’ ingredients and spices. The Minangkabau maintains their farmland in a unique way in order to achieve food security for their community. The uniqueness lies in the active roles of women in food provision for their families. The women are inherited the clan land therefore they are not allowed to leave their relatives after getting married. Local food security and culture thus depend on indigenous knowledge passed on to the daugthers from the mothers (matrilineally). This tradition has positive contribution to the conservation of ingredient and spices’ genetic diversity in this area. Nevertheless, sustainable management of this tradition needs to be taken into consideration. Transforming indigenous knowledge into documentation and compilation will contribute to enhancing knowledge of local communitites and then be expected to sustain local plant and genetic diversity. Its preservation in data base form must be taken place as quickly as possible to prevent it from being lost at unpredecented rate.
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