Ethnobotany of Rajasthan, India/V. Singh & R.P. Pandey. 1998, xxi, 367 p., figs, photos, $73.
Contents: 1. Introduction. 2. Land and environment. 3. Tribal population, culture and customs. 4. Meena tribe. 5. Bhil tribe. 6. Garasia tribe. 7. Saharia tribe. 8. Damor tribe. 9. Kathodi tribe. 10. Bhil-Meena tribe. 11. Nomadic and denotified tribes. 12. Gadulia Lohar. 13. Banjara. 14. Kallbelia. 15. Kanjar and Bhat. 16. Sansi and nut. 17. Bauria and Baghri. 18. Previous ethnobotanical works and present study. 19. Source of ethnobotanical data and methodology. 20. Ethnobotanical enumeration of species (Alphabetically). 21. Plants in folk songs. 22. Plants in proverbs. 23. Plants as landmark. 24. Auspicious and inauspicious plants. 25. Plants in musical instruments. 26. Some more plants in the life of tribals. 27. Warning. References. Photographs. Figures. Index to the botanical names. Index to the local names.
"More than 2000 species of vascular plants play a vital role directly or indirectly in the economy and subsistence of about 42 lakhs population of tribals of the State of Rajasthan. In this book 610 species have been dealt with which are used by the tribals for food, fodder, timber, fire-wood, tannin, dye, oil, fibre, medicine, alcohol, gum and resin etc. Besides the plants which find place in totems and taboos, the plants used in magico-religious beliefs, magico-medicines, rites and rituals and several ceremonies and household uses related to the life of tribals from birth to death have also been discussed under the species arranged alphabetically. The correct botanical name of each species is followed by the prevalent local names, short diagnostic characters, habitat and distribution in the state and flowering and fruiting period before dealing with the above mentioned uses.
"The plants which find place in folk songs, proverbs, musical instruments and considered auspicious or inauspicious or landmark for routes etc have been discussed under separate heads in the end of the book. The untroductory chapters include detailed information about land and environment of the state, the tribal populations their culture and customs, previous ethnobotanical works and methodology of present study.
"Besides 67 figures of individual plants, 56 coloured photographs reflecting landscape, vegetation types, individual plants, culture and customs of tribals and plant-based household and agricultural implements have been included." (jacket)
[V. Singh's books include Flora of Banswara and Flora of Rajasthan.
R.P. Pandey's books include Flora of Rajasthan and Flors of Tonk District.]
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