Study on the regional landscape created by utilization of ritual plants of the hill tribes of Southeast Asia.

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26760009
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Area studies
• Research Institution: Kobe University
• Principal Investigator: OHNO Tomoko 神戸大学, 人間発達環境学研究科, 准教授 (10420746)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 地域景観 / 祭祀 / 少数民族 / タイ / 栽培 / 信仰 / ワタ / 植物利用

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We investigated ethno-botanically about how the regional landscape created by the use and cultivation of ritual plants of mainly the hill tribes in Southeast Asia. As a result, Lafu-red tribe living in Northern Thailand necessarily needs cotton (Gossypium spp.) during animism ritual. Therefore, they have cultivated and maintained that one for a long time around the temple and shaman’s house. We also surveyed about the use and cultivation of ritual plants in Okinawa and Nepal in addition to Thailand. People living in Sakishima islands, Okinawa believe Ramie (Boehmeria nivea) as a one of the plants to protect itself against misfortune. On the other hand, Marigold (Tagetes spp.) is very important ritual plants for the Hindus in Nepal. It became clear that the regional landscape created by these plants linked to faith are cultivated and maintained according to high necessity.

Free Research Field

緑地環境学　民族植物学