Contribution a l’ethnobotanique des Warega (Maniema, Kivu, Zaire)

Abstract

CONTRIBUTION TO THE ETHNOBOTANY OF THE WAREGA (MANIEMA, KIVU, ZAIRE)

As a result of the particular social positions held by the grandfather and aunt of the author, very detailed information about the traditional uses of plants in Maniema could be collected.

All the information obtained is supported by a herbarium reference collection deposited in the Herbarium of the University of Lubumbashi (LSHI), together with one or several vernacular names.

The information can be grouped on the basis of four main types of utilization, namely plants used as food (seeds and oleaginous nuts, amylaceous fruits and flowers, leaves, berries.); medicinal plants (parasitic diseases,  gynaecology, obstetrics, etc.); plants for domestic use (tools, mats, textiles, dyes and other uses).