ETHNO-ZOOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF THE VALUE OF INSECTS AMONG THE IJEBUS. (SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA)

Abstract

An ethnozoological survey of insects among Ijebu people of Ogun State was carried out to examine the importance of insects and their by- products in the life and economy of the people. 260 questionnaires were administered among the rural based traditionalist and farmers majorly who fell between the age of 56 and above.


75% of the people confirmed the nutritive value of Macrotermes nigeriense while 70.4% reported the consumption of Anaphae sp as food items, 82.3% and 90% of the people confirmed the nutritional importance of Macrotermes belliscossus and Anaphae sp respectively. Other insects consumed for nutritional purposes are Mallodon downesi, Pupae of scarabaedae beetles and Brachytrypes sp despite certain taboos attached to the utilization of Brachytrypes sp; Macrotermes nigeriense and Anapleptes trifaciata equally, Apis mellifera; Anapleptes trifaciata; Brachytrypes sp; Macrotermes nigeriense; Camponotini brutus and Cryptothelia rougeoti are useful items for ritual purposes; while periplaneta americana; Macrotermes nigeriense; camponotini brutus; Brachytrypes sp; & Musca domestica are essential materials for healing wounds, curing of ailments, spiritual protection, preparation of aphrodisiac for women and potency medicine for males.


KEY WORDS: Ethnozoological, Insects, Nutritive value, Ritual, Nigeria.


Global Jnl Pure & Applied Sciences Vol.10(1) 2004: 1-6