The ethnobotany of the grain amaranths with special reference to San Miguel del Milagro, Tlaxcala, Mexico.
Item
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Title
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The ethnobotany of the grain amaranths with special reference to San Miguel del Milagro, Tlaxcala, Mexico.
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Identifier
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AAI9405586
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identifier
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9405586
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Creator
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Sobel, Gail L.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Thomas E. Jensen
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Date
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1993
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Biology, Botany | Anthropology, Cultural | Folklore
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Abstract
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The genus Amaranthus (Amaranthaceae) is composed of about 60 species widely distributed throughout tropical, subtropical and temperate regions of the world. The grain amaranths are of economic importance. They are noted for their high protein content, especially that of lysine. This thesis includes a taxonomic history of Amaranthus, history of amaranth use including Indian groups associated with amaranth use, names associated with the genus both past and present and foods associated with amaranth. Present day uses of amaranth have been reviewed and origins of amaranth have been discussed. The majority of the thesis concentrates on the town of San Miguel del Milagro in the state of Tlaxcala, Mexico. Nearly all the people of this village are involved in some way with amaranth. This detailed study is aimed at providing information on the cultural practices associated with amaranth as well as providing data on what impacts this cottage industry has on the people of this village and their lifestyle. The interest of outside agencies and the introduction of new varieties, machinery and their effects have been studied. This study involved a six year period and changes during this period were explored. The data in this thesis provides a current look at the state of affairs relating to amaranth in San Miguel del Milagro and serves as a useful data base for assessing the impact outside influences have on such a community and the possible introduction of amaranth as a new crop into another village. Although much research has been done on the grain amaranths a study of such detail in one village has never been done before. It is hoped that this ethnobotanical study will be useful to the development of amaranth as a crop in areas that are in need of food sources and will help the burden of the hungry.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
