Use of plant resources by the Chácobo.
Boom B. M.
Author Affiliation: New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10458, USA.
7 : 78-96
Abstract : Results are given of an ethnobotanical study of the Chácobo Indians, a small Panoan group of Amazonian Bolivia. A total of 360 species of vascular plants in at least 221 genera and 79 families were encountered in the village of Alto Ivón. Of this total, 305 species in at least 197 genera and 75 families are used as food, fuel, construction and craft, medicines, poisons and a source of cash. An ethnoecological inventory of 1 ha of forest showed that 82% of the species and 95% of the individual trees were used. As well as collecting and using plants from the forest the Chácobo also cultivate plants. This is done in 2 systems: as dooryard gardens [home gardens] which are composed principally of tree crops (the most common species found are Mangifera indica, Carica papaya, Persea americana, Citrus aurantifolia and C. paradisi) but also include shrubs and herbs; and in large fields ('chacos' or 'huai'). The most important crop in the chacos is Manihot esculenta, which is intercropped with maize and upland rice. Bananas (Musa paradisiaca) are also grown as a pure crop, and other crops are grown on a small scale.