Indigenous Practices in the Use of Wild Yam or Karot (Dioscorea hispida Dennst.)

Abstract

The indigenous practices in the use of wild yam or 'karot' (Diosgoreg hispilg Dennst.)" and some selected personal variables of involved upland dwellers were described in this study. Old folks comprised the bulk of karot gatherers. They were mostly females, married, elementary graduates, farmers and earning a monthly income of less than 3,000. Processing of 'karot' is usually done near river banks where flowing water is the hey element to detoxify and transform the corms into edible material ready for cooking. Processing is a tedious process and because of this, wholesale gathering is restrained maintaining 'karot' gathering and processing at family subsistence levels.
Correspondingly, respondents do not see marked and potential profit from 'karot' as it is scarce, a general engagement of the local community and seasonal, that is, gathering is donefew months before rice harvest.
'Karot' is a way oflife, yet, is being regarded as foodfor the poor because the more wealthy sector of the local upland communities prefer imported items and commercial goods available at the market. There was no indication that research generated information and technology had been incorporated with the indigenous system of 'karot'
process andfood utilization. On the whole, karot practices was placed at the moderate level. Four socio-demographic variables namely: age. Gender, educational attainment and monthly family income were significantly correlated with 'karot' practices. On the other hand, civil status, number of children, ethic group and occupation were not significantly correlated with practices.