Plant use of the Maasai of Sekenani Valley, Maasai Mara, Kenya.

ABSTRACT: Traditional plant use is of tremendous importance in many societies, including most rural African communities. This knowledge is however, rapidly dwindling due to changes towards a more Western lifestyle, and the influence of modern tourism.In case of the Sekenani Maasai, the recent change from a nomadic to a more sedentary lifestyle has not, thus far lead to a dramatic loss of traditional plant knowledge, when compared to other Maasai communities. However, in Sekenani, plants are used much less frequently for manufacturing tools, and for veterinary purposes, than in more remote areas. While the knowledge is still present, overgrazing and over-exploitation of plant resources have already led to a decline of the plant material available.This paper examines the plant use of the Maasai in the

SUBMITTER: Bussmann RW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1475560 | biostudies-literature | 2006 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature