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Traditional Knowledge of Plant Classification among Dimasa Tribe of Dima Hasao District, Assam, India


Affiliations
1 Department of Ecology & Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar- 788011, India
 

The cognitive aspect of ethnobiology i.e. how the traditional people view nature is very significant in ethnobiological research. The present paper deals with the cognitive attribute of ethnobiology prevalent amongst the Dimasa tribe of Dima Hasao district, Assam, India. A total of 161 plant species were recorded. A comparison of the traditional classification system of the plants with Berlin's classification principle was also made. The various life forms of plants and their corresponding Dimasa names also categorized. The study depicts the deep knowledge base of Dimasa tribe of the district and the potential of folk taxonomy in identification of local species found in a community.

Keywords

Dima Hasao District, Dimasa, Ethnoclassification, Folk Taxonomy.
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  • Traditional Knowledge of Plant Classification among Dimasa Tribe of Dima Hasao District, Assam, India

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Authors

Sangeeta Haflongbar
Department of Ecology & Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar- 788011, India
Aparajita De
Department of Ecology & Environmental Science, Assam University, Silchar- 788011, India

Abstract


The cognitive aspect of ethnobiology i.e. how the traditional people view nature is very significant in ethnobiological research. The present paper deals with the cognitive attribute of ethnobiology prevalent amongst the Dimasa tribe of Dima Hasao district, Assam, India. A total of 161 plant species were recorded. A comparison of the traditional classification system of the plants with Berlin's classification principle was also made. The various life forms of plants and their corresponding Dimasa names also categorized. The study depicts the deep knowledge base of Dimasa tribe of the district and the potential of folk taxonomy in identification of local species found in a community.

Keywords


Dima Hasao District, Dimasa, Ethnoclassification, Folk Taxonomy.

References