Food plants of the Kaxinawá Indigenous Land of Nova Olinda, Acre, Brazil

Abstract

The great diversity of plants currently known and used by man is the result of the co evolution
that has occurred during millennia between the native populations and the different ways in
which they have used it. The main objective of this study is to valorise and preserve of food
plants that have been accumulated, selected and used over many indigenous generations
over time. The research was carried out at TI Kaxinawá of Nova Olinda (TIKNO), located in
the Amazon Biome, municipality of Feijó, Acre, Brazil. The importance of the present study for
agroecology is emphasized, since the management practices and food plants cultivated and
not cultivated by this community represent a patrimony of these populations, and can provide
subsidy for numerous researches and works in the Amazon region and in Brazil. The research
was carried out in 2016, with the study of cultivated plants done through semi-structured interviews
and on-site visits in the productive areas, and the study of non-conventional food plants
(PANC’s) through free listing and guided tour with different representatives Indigenous peoples. To date, 29 agricultural crops have been identified in 21 botanical families, represented
by 111 varieties. Also identified were 44 species of PANC ‘s, distributed in 36 genera belonging
to 20 botanical families, with emphasis on the families Arecaceae, Malvaceae and Moraceae,
representing 47% of the species found. The high diversity of food plants observed at TIKNO
shows the genetic and cultural richness of these people and contribute to the food security of
the community, guaranteeing the cultural preservation of associated knowledge.