Food, flavouring and feed plant traditions in the Tyrrhenian sector of Basilicata, Italy.
BACKGROUND
Research was carried out in the years 2002-2003 into food, flavouring and feed folk traditions of plants in the Tyrrhenian part of the Basilicata region (southern Italy). This area was colonized in ancient times by Greeks. Data was collected through field interviews, especially of farmers.


METHODS
Field data were collected through structured interviews. The informants, numbered 49, belonged to families which had strong links with the traditional activities of the area.


RESULTS
61 taxa are cited, belonging to 26 botanical families, amongst which 44 used as food or flavouring and 22 for animal alimentation. Besides 7 taxa are involved in rituals especially connected with agriculture and plant growth.


CONCLUSIONS
The preservation of some rituals especially concerning agricultural plants is noteworthy in the area, together with a certain degree of continuity in food uses. Knowledge and rediscovery of recipes in human and animal diet could represent an economic potential for the area.
Guarrera
Paolo Maria
PM
Museo Nazionale Arti e Tradizioni Popolari, Piazza Marconi 8/10 00144 Rome, Italy. pmguarrera@arti.beniculturali.it
Salerno
Giovanni
G
Caneva
Giulia
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D003625:Data Collection; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005421:Flavoring Agents; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010945:Plants, Edible; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D005421:Flavoring Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts