Skip to main content

Table 3 List (names) of domesticated edible plants used in indigenous foods, dishes and beverages of Gumare village along with parts used, value, food safety, taboos, market potential, seasonal availability and perishable nature

From: Plant-based traditional foods and beverages of Gumare Village, Botswana

No

Ver. N

Eng. N

Sci. N

Parts U

Forms U

Value/Use K

Food Saf. C

Taboo

Market P

Month. A. (Perish. N.)

1

Mmidi /Semanga

Maize

Zea mays L

Grains

IF

ID

IB

NP

MD

May cause constipation

After crushing grains using mortar and pestle, remove the pestle to prevent body/stomach pains

The maize cover is discarded a day after harvest

On beverage: people are not allowed to pass near pots with salt as the maize beverage may lose its taste

H

D-M (P = when soft and cooked and when prepared as a dish, D = when dried, SP = flour)

2

Mabele

Sorghum

Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

Grains

ID

IB

NP

MD

 

-

H

F – A (SP)

3

Mabelebele (Mahangu)

Millet

Pennisetum glaucum

Grains

ID

IB

NP

MD

 

-

H

F- A (SP)

4

Ntšhê

Sweet reed (sweet sorghum)

Sorghum bicolor (L.)

Moench

Grains & stem piths

IF

IB

NP

 

Not to be eaten until ripe to avoid introducing pests

H

F – A (D)

5

Dinawa

Cowpea

Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp

Grains (pulse) & leaves

ID

NP

 

The pods must not be opened with teeth to prevent infestation or attack by rodents

H

F—A

6

Thonga (Manoko)

Groudnuts

Arachis hypogaea L

Grains (nuts)

IF

NP

 

-

H

F—A

7

Ditloo

Jugo beans/ Bambara groundnuts

Vigna subterranean

(L.) Verdc

Grains (nuts)

IF

ID

NP

MD

 

-

H

F—A

8

Lerotse (Torobela)

Melon

Citrullus lanatus var. citroides (L. H. Bailey) Mansf

Seeds, leaves, pulps & rinds

IF

ID

NP

 

The terminal buds are cut and put in the centre to increase its yield

H

(D)

9

Thotse

Melon seed

Unidentified

Seeds

IF

NP

 

Boys are not allowed pass through thotse because they have no womb

H

 

10

Babu

 

Unidentified

Seeds, leaves, pulps & rinds

IF

ID

NP

 

-

H

F – A (P)

11

Nquoko

 

Unidentified

Seeds, pulps & rinds

IF

ID

NP

May cause diarrhea

-

H

(P)

12

Leraka

 

Unidentified

Seeds, fruits & leaves

IF

ID

NP

MD

 

Fermented milk and 3 legged black pots are not allowed into the storage room to avoid quick spoilages

H

F—A

13

Legapu

Watermelon

Citrullus lanatus

(Thunb.)

var. lanatus

Pulp & seeds

IF

IB

NP

May cause diarrhea when eaten rotten

-

H

F—A

14

Segwana

Bottle gourd/Calabash

Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl

Whole fruits, leaves & seeds

IF

ID

NP

 

The terminal buds are cut and put in the centre to increase its yield

H

(D)

15

Sego

 

Unidentified

Whole fruits, leaves & seeds

IF

ID

NP

 

The terminal buds are cut and put in the centre to increase its yield

H

(D)

16

Sembokoma

Sweet potato

Ipomoea batatas

Roots& leaves

IF

ID

NP

May cause diarrhea and heartburn

It is not shared

People who plough it, must be naked to yield great produce

H

M-JUL (P = when cooked, SP = when raw)

17

Maraka

 

Unidentified

       

18

 

Pumpkins

Cucurbita pepo L

Pulp

IF

     

19

Ngolo

 

Unidentified

Roots & leaves

IF

ID

NP

May cause diarrhea and heartburn

It is not shared

People who plough it must be naked to yield great produce

H

M-JUL (P = when cooked, SP = when raw)

  1. Where: Ver. N. vernacular name, Eng. N English name, Sci. N scientific name, Parts U. parts/forms used, IF indigenous food, ID indigenous dish, IB indigenous beverages, FR fermented, Use K. use knowledge, NP nourishment potential, Food Saf. C. food safety challenge, N/A not available, VH very high, H high, P poor, Month. A. months available, Perish. N. perishable nature, Du durable, Pe perishable, Sp semi-perishable, D-M December-March, F—A February-April, M-JUL March-July