Traditional ecological knowledge of wild tubers used by the Orang Asli Bateq tribe on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Indigenous tribes and rural communities around the world are known to rely on various plant parts for their livelihood and nutrition, most notably for food. This research aimed to examine and document the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of wild tuber food plants used by the Orang Asli Bateq t...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Siti Nursyadiq Anuar, Jamilah Mohd Salim, Dome Nikong, Norhayati Ab Manaf, Nur Azura Sanusi, Khatijah Omar, Tengku Rozaina Tengku Mohamad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2023
Online Access:http://journalarticle.ukm.my/23131/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/23131/1/ML%201.pdf
_version_ 1848815767574806528
author Siti Nursyadiq Anuar,
Jamilah Mohd Salim,
Dome Nikong,
Norhayati Ab Manaf,
Nur Azura Sanusi,
Khatijah Omar,
Tengku Rozaina Tengku Mohamad,
author_facet Siti Nursyadiq Anuar,
Jamilah Mohd Salim,
Dome Nikong,
Norhayati Ab Manaf,
Nur Azura Sanusi,
Khatijah Omar,
Tengku Rozaina Tengku Mohamad,
author_sort Siti Nursyadiq Anuar,
building UKM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Indigenous tribes and rural communities around the world are known to rely on various plant parts for their livelihood and nutrition, most notably for food. This research aimed to examine and document the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of wild tuber food plants used by the Orang Asli Bateq tribe of Peninsular Malaysia. The findings of this study are critical to scientifically identify and document food sources from the forest that contribute to the tribe's livelihood and, possibly, future food security. In the Bateq villages, information was gathered via semi-structured surveys, field trips, group discussions, and key informant interviews. The results show that TEK influenced the use of wild tubers inherited from their ancestors. The Bateq ate at least 11 different types of wild tubers, including Dioscorea orbiculata, Dioscorea prainiana, and Dioscorea hispida. Most of these wild tubers are from the Dioscoreaceae plant family and must be properly processed before being consumed. The elements related to the traditional knowledge of the wild tubers are the harvesting skills and the practice in the utilization of the plant. The survey also suggests that the selection to use plant tubers is prompted by its delicious taste and nutritional value while being natural and unpolluted food. In terms of plant sustainability, the majority of the Bateq will follow certain conservation techniques to maintain the plants' availability. Understanding what underlies TEK and the tribe's practices in using wild plant resources will preserve the natural legacy of forest resources and biodiversity, and possibly contribute to future food security.
first_indexed 2025-11-15T00:55:13Z
format Article
id oai:generic.eprints.org:23131
institution Universiti Kebangasaan Malaysia
institution_category Local University
language English
last_indexed 2025-11-15T00:55:13Z
publishDate 2023
publisher Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
recordtype eprints
repository_type Digital Repository
spelling oai:generic.eprints.org:231312024-03-08T03:15:35Z http://journalarticle.ukm.my/23131/ Traditional ecological knowledge of wild tubers used by the Orang Asli Bateq tribe on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia Siti Nursyadiq Anuar, Jamilah Mohd Salim, Dome Nikong, Norhayati Ab Manaf, Nur Azura Sanusi, Khatijah Omar, Tengku Rozaina Tengku Mohamad, Indigenous tribes and rural communities around the world are known to rely on various plant parts for their livelihood and nutrition, most notably for food. This research aimed to examine and document the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of wild tuber food plants used by the Orang Asli Bateq tribe of Peninsular Malaysia. The findings of this study are critical to scientifically identify and document food sources from the forest that contribute to the tribe's livelihood and, possibly, future food security. In the Bateq villages, information was gathered via semi-structured surveys, field trips, group discussions, and key informant interviews. The results show that TEK influenced the use of wild tubers inherited from their ancestors. The Bateq ate at least 11 different types of wild tubers, including Dioscorea orbiculata, Dioscorea prainiana, and Dioscorea hispida. Most of these wild tubers are from the Dioscoreaceae plant family and must be properly processed before being consumed. The elements related to the traditional knowledge of the wild tubers are the harvesting skills and the practice in the utilization of the plant. The survey also suggests that the selection to use plant tubers is prompted by its delicious taste and nutritional value while being natural and unpolluted food. In terms of plant sustainability, the majority of the Bateq will follow certain conservation techniques to maintain the plants' availability. Understanding what underlies TEK and the tribe's practices in using wild plant resources will preserve the natural legacy of forest resources and biodiversity, and possibly contribute to future food security. Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia 2023 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://journalarticle.ukm.my/23131/1/ML%201.pdf Siti Nursyadiq Anuar, and Jamilah Mohd Salim, and Dome Nikong, and Norhayati Ab Manaf, and Nur Azura Sanusi, and Khatijah Omar, and Tengku Rozaina Tengku Mohamad, (2023) Traditional ecological knowledge of wild tubers used by the Orang Asli Bateq tribe on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Malaysian Applied Biology, 52 (5). pp. 1-10. ISSN 0126-8643 https://jms.mabjournal.com/index.php/mab/issue/view/56
spellingShingle Siti Nursyadiq Anuar,
Jamilah Mohd Salim,
Dome Nikong,
Norhayati Ab Manaf,
Nur Azura Sanusi,
Khatijah Omar,
Tengku Rozaina Tengku Mohamad,
Traditional ecological knowledge of wild tubers used by the Orang Asli Bateq tribe on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia
title Traditional ecological knowledge of wild tubers used by the Orang Asli Bateq tribe on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia
title_full Traditional ecological knowledge of wild tubers used by the Orang Asli Bateq tribe on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia
title_fullStr Traditional ecological knowledge of wild tubers used by the Orang Asli Bateq tribe on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed Traditional ecological knowledge of wild tubers used by the Orang Asli Bateq tribe on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia
title_short Traditional ecological knowledge of wild tubers used by the Orang Asli Bateq tribe on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia
title_sort traditional ecological knowledge of wild tubers used by the orang asli bateq tribe on the east coast of peninsular malaysia
url http://journalarticle.ukm.my/23131/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/23131/
http://journalarticle.ukm.my/23131/1/ML%201.pdf