Personal networks: a tool for gaining insight into the transmission of knowledge about food and medicinal plants among Tyrolean (Austrian) migrants in Australia, Brazil and Peru

Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine

Christian R Vogl¹  Elisabeth Kuhn¹  Heidemarie Pirker¹  Ruth Haselmair¹ 

[1] Department for Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Knowledge Systems and Innovations, Division of Organic Farming, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria

关键词: Knowledge traditions;    Migration;    Medicinal plant knowledge;    Food knowledge;    Knowledge transmission;    Personal networks;    Social network analysis;   

Others  :  861931
DOI  :  10.1186/1746-4269-10-1

 received in 2013-03-20, accepted in 2013-12-21,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Investigations into knowledge about food and medicinal plants in a certain geographic area or within a specific group are an important element of ethnobotanical research. This knowledge is context specific and dynamic due to changing ecological, social and economic circumstances. Migration processes affect food habits and the knowledge and use of medicinal plants as a result of adaptations that have to be made to new surroundings and changing environments. This study analyses and compares the different dynamics in the transmission of knowledge about food and medicinal plants among Tyrolean migrants in Australia, Brazil and Peru.

Methods

A social network approach was used to collect data on personal networks of knowledge about food and medicinal plants among Tyroleans who have migrated to Australia, Brazil and Peru and their descendants. A statistical analysis of the personal network maps and a qualitative analysis of the narratives were combined to provide insight into the process of transmitting knowledge about food and medicinal plants.

Results

56 personal networks were identified in all (food: 30; medicinal plants: 26) across all the field sites studied here. In both sets of networks, the main source of knowledge is individual people (food: 71%; medicinal plants: 68%). The other sources mentioned are print and audiovisual media, organisations and institutions. Personal networks of food knowledge are larger than personal networks of medicinal plant knowledge in all areas of investigation. Relatives play a major role as transmitters of knowledge in both domains.

Conclusions

Human sources, especially relatives, play an important role in knowledge transmission in both domains. Reference was made to other sources as well, such as books, television, the internet, schools and restaurants. By taking a personal network approach, this study reveals the mode of transmission of knowledge about food and medicinal plants within a migrational context.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Haselmair & Pirker et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

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