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 | Â | - | 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 | Â | The terminal buds are cut and put in the centre to increase its yield | H | (D) |
9 | Thotse | Melon seed | Unidentified | Seeds | IF | NP | Â | Boys are not allowed pass through thotse because they have no womb | H | Â |
10 | Babu |  | Unidentified | Seeds, leaves, pulps & rinds | IF ID | NP |  | - | H | F – A (P) |
11 | Nquoko | Â | 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 | Â | The terminal buds are cut and put in the centre to increase its yield | H | (D) |
15 | Sego | Â | Unidentified | Whole fruits, leaves & seeds | IF ID | NP | Â | 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 | Â | Unidentified | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
18 | Â | Pumpkins | Cucurbita pepo L | Pulp | IF | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
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) |