WHAT IS ETHNOBOTANY?
ETHNOBOTANY =
PLANTS + PEOPLE + CULTURE
ETHNOBOTANY IS THE STUDY OF THE CULTURAL USE AND RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PLANTS AND PEOPLE
For thousands of years, Indigenous Australians have used plants for food, medicine, fibre, weapons, musical instruments and ceremonies. This knowledge has been passed down orally through generations. While a lot of traditional plant use knowledge has been lost, Indigenous peoples are still accessing and using traditional plant knowledge today.
WHY IS ETHNOBOTANY IMPORTANT?
Indigenous Knowledge is recognised globally for its potential value in contemporary biodiversity conservation, management and biodiscovery. In tropical Australia, Indigenous peoples’ strong and diverse presence on country presents an important opportunity to work with Indigenous Knowledge and management systems and strengthen community awareness of biocultural diversity.