The Mukogodo Maasai

An Ethnobotanical Survey

Author: Matthias Brenzinger, Bernd Heine, Ingo Heine †. Illustrated by: Carla Butz.

1994
314 pp.
2 maps, 29 colour photos, 16 drawings
Text language(s): English
Format: 170 x 240 mm
780 g
Paperback
€ 69.80

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The monograph is dedicated to plant taxonomy (phytonyms / plant taxonomies) and plant knowledge of the Mukogodo Maasai of northern Kenya. It contains detailed information on the linguistic form, the sociolinguistic setting, and the ethnobotanic characteristics of the plants distinguished by this group of Maa-speaking people. For each plant a description of its uses is provided. The uses concerned are in domains such as human consumption, medicine, livestock economy, material culture, religion, etc. Among the areas that are considered in more detail is apiculture. For the ancestors of the Mukogodo Maasai, bee-keeping constituted one of the most essential economic activities, and the monograph gives an account of the way in which the plant world is used to optimise the production of honey.

In addition to the plant nomenclature of the Mukogodo Maasai, there are also plant lists for other dialects of the Maa-speaking world, such as Chamus (Njemps) and Samburu. Selected plants are illustrated with 29 colour photos and 16 drawings.

Under these links you will find further ethnobotanical / ethnozoological publications and studies featuring ritual healing practices, traditional medicine and bee-keeping in Africa:

Accompanying material:

• A Bibliography of the Maa Language and the Maasai People (ISBN 978-3-89645-710-3)
• Endangered Languages in Africa (ISBN 978-3-89645-305-1)
• Expérience végétale bolia (C.35b, République Démocratique du Congo) (ISBN 978-3-89645-037-1)
• Konzeptualisierung von Landschaft im Mbukushu (K.333/K.43) Bantusprache in Nord-Namibia) (ISBN 978-3-89645-600-7)
• Linguistic Salvage – Isubu and Wovea (Bantu A231) (ISBN 978-3-89645-770-7)
• Sprachhistorische Rekonstruktionen zu den Ursprüngen von Getreidenutzung und Gartenbau in Nordostafrika (ISBN 978-3-89645-097-5)
• The Akie Language of Tanzania (ISBN 978-3-89645-714-1)

Cross-reference:

• A Tima-English Dictionary (ISBN 978-3-89645-901-5)
• Dealing with Disorder (ISBN 978-3-89645-082-1)
• Ein Heilungsritual der Dama, Südwestafrika/Namibia (ISBN 978-3-89645-351-8)
• Honey Hunting and Beekeeping in Adamaoua (Cameroon) (ISBN 978-3-89645-851-3)
• Khoisan Medicine in History and Practice (ISBN 978-3-89645-148-4)
• Maasai Diviners and Christianity (ISBN 978-3-89645-761-5)
• Medicine Experts of the |Xam San (ISBN 978-3-89645-147-7)
• Swahili Plants (ISBN 978-3-927620-89-6)
• Voices of Affliction (ISBN 978-3-89645-245-0)

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