Sympathetic science: analogism in Brazilian ethnobiological repertoires among quilombolas of the Atlantic forest and Amazonian ribeirinhos

Background Drawing on Phillipe Descola’s comparative analysis of ontological regimes across cultures, this article identifies analogism guiding ethnobiological repertories among two distinctive traditional tropical forest communities in Brazil. Methods We carried out participant observation, semi-structured interviews and informal dialog with 48 individuals, among quilombolas of the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil and ribeirinhos of the Amazon. Results We documented 60 traditional practices governed by analogical principles, comprising hunting, ethnomedical practices, food taboos, and other interactions with non-human entities. We also identify and classify the analogical principles reported in the field data. Based on this classification, we address the phenomenological dimension of the ethnobiological repertoires and discuss the epistemological and ontological foundations of this form of reasoning. We also hypothesize on the role of analogism shaping ethnobiological repertories more generally in Brazil. Conclusion The heuristic model we apply—articulating phenomenology, epistemology and ontology—could prove valuable in ethnobiology and the emerging field of “anthropology beyond the human.”

Fasting, food and farming: Value chains and food taboos in Ethiopia

The impact of food taboos–often because of religion–is understudied. In Ethiopia, religious fasting by Orthodox Christians is assumed to be an important impediment for the sustainable development of a competitive dairy sector and desired higher milk consumption, especially by children. However, evidence is limited. Relying on unique data, we shed light on three major issues. First, we observe that the average annual number of fasting days that Orthodox adults are effectively adhering to is 140, less than commonly cited averages. Using this as an estimate for extrapolation, fasting is estimated to reduce annual dairy consumption by approximately 12 percent nationally. Second, farms adapt to declining milk demand during fasting by increased processing of milk into storable products–fasting contributes to larger price swings for these products. We further note continued sales of milk by non-remote farmers and reduced production–by adjusting lactation times for dairy animals–for remote farmers. Third, fasting is mostly associated with increased milk consumption by the children of dairy farmers, seemingly because of excess milk availability during fasting periods. Our results suggest that fasting habits are not a major explanation for the observed poor performance of Ethiopia’s dairy sector nor low milk consumption by children. To reduce the impact of fasting on the dairy sector in Ethiopia further, investment is called for in improved milk processing, storage, and infrastructure facilities.

High prevalence of food taboos and dietary restrictions in lactating mothers from coastal districts of a south Indian state: a hospital based study

Background: Adequate nutrition during pregnancy and lactation is pivotal for wellbeing of newborn infants. However, presence of traditional beliefs and taboos associated with food intake during pregnancy and lactation could interfere with nutritional needs of growing infants resulting in a variety of nutritional disorders. Our objective was to study the prevalence of dietary restrictions and food taboos practiced by lactating women from five costal districts of the state of Andhra Pradesh, India.Methods:It was a descriptive and observational study, conducted between November 2020 to January 2021 at the Children’s Heart Institute, Andhra Hospitals, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. The study was conducted on mothers attending the out-patient clinic of pediatric cardiology department using convenient sampling technique. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect the data.Results: A total of 161 mothers have participated in the survey and, almost all of them (99.3%) have restricted one or more food item during lactation. Age of the mother, level of education and socio-economic status have no bearing on the prevalence of food restrictions and food taboos. Most commonly restricted food items include sweets, fruits, leafy vegetables, yogurt, some pulses, eggs and nuts. The concept of hot and cold food items is highly prevalent in the study population and lactating mothers have no knowledge of the nutritive value of the foods avoided/restricted.Conclusions:Food restrictions and taboos associated with food intake during post-partum period are widespread in our study population. Improving girl child education and campaigning through print and digital media are important tools in fighting against harmful traditional practices interfering with adequate nutrition during pregnancy and lactation.

Javanese Culture in Maternal Postpartum Care at Hargomulyo Village, Kedewan District, Bojonegoro Regency

Maternal and child health problems are inseparable from socio-cultural andenvironmental factors in society. Factors of belief and traditional knowledgepositively or negatively impact Maternal and Child Health (MCH). Culturecould be a predisposing factor for high maternal mortality. This paperdescribes Javanese culture in maternal postpartum care at HargomulyoVillage, Kedewan District, Bojonegoro Regency. This study was descriptiveresearch. It took place at Hargomulyo Village, Kedewan District, BojonegoroRegency, from January to February 2020. The population was mothers whohave experienced postpartum both primipara and multipara. There were 48respondents by total sampling. The instrument used a questionnaire consistingof several questions regarding culture in maternal postpartum care, how tocarry out the culture, and its reasons. Thirty respondents did food taboos(62.5%), six respondents limited their drinking water (12.5%), 40 respondentsdrank herbs (83.3%), 47 respondents wore stagen (97.9%), and fiverespondents used pilis (10.4%). In addition, 48 respondents performedbrokohan and mendem ari ari (100%), 20 respondents were not allowed totake a nap (41.7%), and 18 respondents must be at home for 40 days (37.5%).At the same time, 17 respondents did perineal care after birth with betel leaf(35.4%), 12 respondents walked and sat with feet parallel (25%), and 20respondents did semi-sitting position (41.7%). Postpartum mothers stillpractice many Javanese cultures. This culture has both favorable andunfavorable impacts on health. Furthermore, it is necessary to analyze theinfluence of Javanese culture on the health status of postpartum mothers.

The Impacts of Food Taboos and Preferences on Food Security in Developing Countries: Evidence from Ethiopia

Food norms are embodied within all the essential components of food security; availability, access, utilization, and stability. However, the adverse economic influences of these norms are largely under–researched in developing countries. Unique in its scoop, this study thus investigates the impacts of food taboos and preferences (FTP) on food security in Ethiopia, one of the world’s food–insecure nations combined with a culture of strict food norms. On the basis of a qualitative research design with semi–structured in–depth interviews, primary data was collected from eleven key informants of pertinent multidisciplinary backgrounds, experts and decision–makers. The empirical evidence revealed that religious and secular– based FTP have put significant restrictions on the efficient utilization of the existing edible resources in the country. For example, during Orthodox Christian (OC) and Muslim fasting days, the overall food supply chain undergoes economic turbulence. Particularly, the economic challenge of OC fasting is expressed by (1) a decrease in consumption and supply of non–vegan foods, (2) the temporary closure of butcher and dairy shops, (3) an increase in the demand and price of vegan foods, and (4) an overall reduction in consumption and economic transactions. Moreover, the tradition of animal consecration at home has made many Ethiopians to rarely depend on supermarkets, groceries, and other licensed meat shops. In turn, this impedes the country’s endeavor of attracting local and foreign private investors in the general food sector. It also alienates people from access to food labels, meat quality controls, price, size, and choice advantages, all of which are essential for better, adaptive, and stable food utilization. The results discovered in this thesis enrich our understanding on the role of food norms in the economic systems. Particularly, the study sheds light on the indispensable need to consider the subject of FTP in policies and programs aiming to end food insecurity.

Environment and Food Taboos: Breastfeeding, Antenatal, and Postnatal Practices Among Koya Dora of East Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh

Food taboos are studied from varied perspectives. Breastfeeding, antenatal, and postnatal practices in most of the cultures have a special place: certain taboos are often attached to them. Breastfeeding has a plethora of positive health outcomes for infant and mother alike. Some of these practices are taboos, like abstention from feeding the newborn with mother’s milk immediately after birth or for some stipulated period. Or restrictions placed on would-be or new mothers from consumption of certain food items. This article shows that breastfeeding is natural, and its benefits accrue to the Koya Dora, while “antenatal” and “postnatal” food taboos are from outside. We conclude that Koya Dora breastfeed their children in harmony and as expected, while the food taboos do occur due to outside influences rather than as one expects would occur due to local cultural environmental reasons.

The COVID-19 Pandemic: global perspective and preliminary learnings

<p>This paper examines two key questions to put the COVID-19 pandemic into a broader perspective: What does our past tell us about pandemics? What can it teach us for the future? Moreover, the paper considers three independents but interconnected analytical perspectives. The first one is about advancing our species on the planet and examining the great technological transformations from a historical viewpoint. The second perspective consists of a reflection on food taboos and their relationship to biodiversity issues and zoonotic processes. The third perspective involves a thoughtful exploration of big men, multilateralism, and the society of risk. In addition to overcoming the pandemic’s economic impact, the main challenges of the post-COVID-19 world will be overcome by its ideological implications and the need to strengthen both multilateralism and scientific and technological cooperation solidarity among people.</p>

The COVID-19 Pandemic: global perspective and preliminary learnings

<p>This paper examines two key questions to put the COVID-19 pandemic into a broader perspective: What does our past tell us about pandemics? What can it teach us for the future? Moreover, the paper considers three independents but interconnected analytical perspectives. The first one is about advancing our species on the planet and examining the great technological transformations from a historical viewpoint. The second perspective consists of a reflection on food taboos and their relationship to biodiversity issues and zoonotic processes. The third perspective involves a thoughtful exploration of big men, multilateralism, and the society of risk. In addition to overcoming the pandemic’s economic impact, the main challenges of the post-COVID-19 world will be overcome by its ideological implications and the need to strengthen both multilateralism and scientific and technological cooperation solidarity among people.</p>

Food-related taboos and misconceptions during pregnancy among rural communities of Illu Aba Bor zone, Southwest Ethiopia. A community based qualitative cross-sectional study

Background Poor maternal nutrition adversely affects pregnancy and birth outcomes. In many societies, there are dietary restrictions due to misconceptions or food taboos during pregnancy which consequently results in the depletion of important nutrients. These cultural malpractices and beliefs can influence the dietary intake of pregnant women which subsequently affects the birth outcome. The study aimed at exploring the extent of food taboos and misconceptions during pregnancy in rural communities of Illu Aba Bor Zone, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods A qualitative study was conducted using an in-depth interviews of key informants and focus group discussions among purposively selected pregnant women and their husbands, health care workers, health extension workers, and elderly people. Data were transcribed verbatim, thematized; color-coded, and analyzed manually using the thematic framework method. Result Thorough reading and review of the transcripts generated three major themes. The primary theme was the belief and practice of taboos related to the intake of certain food items during pregnancy. Pregnant women, their husbands, and mothers-in-law believed that certain foods should be avoided during pregnancy. The second theme was foods that were held as taboo and the reason attached to it. The most common food items held as taboo were related to the consumption of vegetables like cabbage, pumpkin, milk and milk products, sugar cane, fruits like bananas and avocado and egg. The main reasons to avoid these foods were beliefs that it can be plastered on the fetal head, making fatty baby which is difficult for delivery. The third theme was the reasons underlying adherence to food taboos which is deeply embedded in the person’s believes and attitudes of the pregnant women, who were nested within the influence of the social environment surrounding them and the traditional beliefs and values of the society in general. Conclusions The results showed a widespread practice of food taboos during pregnancy in the study area. The finding suggested that there is a need for strengthening the nutrition counseling components of antenatal care follow-up and planning comprehensive nutrition education through involving important others to dispel such traditional beliefs and prevent food taboo practices in the study community.

Traditional food taboos and practices during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and infant care of Zulu women in northern KwaZulu-Natal

Background Traditional practices and beliefs influence and support the behavior of women during pregnancy and childbirth in different parts of the world. Not much research has been conducted to examine whether and how cultural traditions continue to shape maternity experiences of Zulu women. The aim of this study is to establish the extent at which women in certain rural communities adhere to traditional food taboos and practices during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and infants feeding, in comparison to what is recommended by health care workers. Methods A survey was conducted in the rural northern KwaZulu-Natal between 2017 and 2020. A total of 140 women between the ages of 18 and 90 years were interviewed and they were chosen purposively based on their experiences in pregnancy, postpartum recovery, infant care, and their willingness to share the knowledge. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Most (64%) of the participants said that they adhered to these cultural food taboos and practices. The most common foods avoided were certain fruits [mango, naartjie, orange, papaya, and peach], butternut, eggs, sweets (sugar, commercial juice, sweet food, and honey), chili, ice, and alcohol. The most recommended foods during pregnancy were leafy vegetables, fruits (except the avoided ones), liver, and fish. For postpartum recovery, women mostly consumed soft porridge, all fruits and vegetables, beetroot, and tea. Food not allowed for children younger than 2 years included meat, sugar and sweets, and chewable foods. Conclusion Differences on food taboos and practices between participants who received formal education and those who did not received it were insignificant. The beliefs about the detrimental effects of some foods were not backed up by scientific research. Restriction of some orange/yellow colored fruits during pregnancy that are rich in vitamin A and/or C may affect daily requirements of these micronutrients, and the foods recommended during pregnancy and postpartum period would not provide all the essential nutrients required for successful pregnancy. However, some of the food taboos would protect women from unhealthy eating. Our findings provide a basis for developing culturally appropriate nutritional mediation programs for Zulu women with a view to provide effective nutritional counseling.