Ethnographical Analysis of Indigenous Botanical Knowledge Based on Julien Steward's Theory

Subject Areas : Medical &Health

Fatimah Shabani Asl ¹ , Mohammad Sadeq Farbod ² , Ali Baseri ³ , Mohammad Hadi Mansour Lecoorge ⁴

1 - PhD student, Department of Anthropology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 - Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
3 - Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
4 - Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

Received: 2022-09-20 Accepted : 2022-10-11 Published : 2022-12-22

Keywords: Ethnographic, Indigenous knowledge, Botanical, Julien Steward's theory,

Abstract :

The aim of the current research was an ethnographical study of the indigenous knowledge of Sarbandan women regarding herbal products with an emphasis on Julien Steward's theory. The studied population was all the resident women of Sarbandan region in the years 1387-1400. 15 subjects were selected among the studied population using the purposive sampling method. The research method was qualitative field research and the study was conducted in an ethnographic procedure. Data were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews and participative observation. The results showed that: according to Julien Steward's theory, cultural development is based on the adaptation of the ecological environment and culture, and such an adaptation that leads to cultural growth and transformation in humans. The women of Sarbandan village had established this method in their mutual and two-way relationship with the environment. To name the natural environment and the type of plants that grow in that area, they inquire to know the natural environment. The women of the village found out that in this mountain and plain environment what kind of plants grow and after that they knew and sang songs and recited proverbs accordingly. They were able to improve their health, for example, by removing the infection or elimination of pain from their body, by utilizing the plant that was its habitat. As a result, according to Julien Steward, the indigenous knowledge of Sarbandan women is influenced by the geographical environment of this region, which led to ecological sustainability.

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