This online course explores the fascinating intersection of ethnobotany and the African Diaspora, examining how African plant knowledge has traveled, adapted, and persisted across the Atlantic world. We’ll delve into the historical context of the transatlantic slave trade and the Columbian Exchange, tracing the movement of plants and people between Africa and the Americas.
Through case studies of Afro-Brazilian traditions like Candomblรฉ, we’ll uncover the vital role of plants in spiritual practices, healing rituals, and everyday life. The course also considers the complex issue of invasive species and their impact on traditional knowledge systems, prompting reflection on biocultural conservation and the future of ethnobotanical research.
By examining foodways, medicinal practices, and religious ceremonies, we’ll discover how African descendants have maintained cultural continuity and expressed their heritage through their relationships with plants.
What you’ll learn:
- Ethnobotany’s evolving scope, moving beyond its initial focus on economic uses to encompass the broader cultural significance of plant-people relationships
- The historical bias in ethnobotanical studies, favoring research on indigenous communities and long-held traditions while often overlooking the contributions of the African Diaspora
- The concept of “African Diaspora Ethnobotany,” emphasizing the transfer, adaptation, and resilience of African plant knowledge during and after the transatlantic slave trade.
- The central role of plants in Candomblรฉ, an Afro-Brazilian religion, highlighting their use in rituals, offerings, spiritual healing, and connecting them to the Orixรกs, powerful spiritual entities.
- The resourcefulness of plant substitution, where African descendants utilized similar-looking New World plants to recreate traditions and practices from their homeland.
- The impact of the Columbian Exchange, facilitating both the introduction of familiar African plants to the Americas and the homogenization of tropical landscapes, influencing the continuation of African plant traditions.
- The cultural significance of African Diaspora foodways, acting as a form of resistance, preserving heritage, and adapting to new environments through innovative culinary practices.
- The ongoing challenges faced by Candomblรฉ practitioners, including conflicts with evangelical groups and the struggle for recognition and respect for their traditions
- The anthropogenic nature of healing floras, emphasizing the often-overlooked impact of human activity on the composition and availability of medicinal plants across diverse cultures.
Who is this online course for?
This online course is designed for a diverse audience, united by a curiosity about the intricate and essential relationships between plants and human cultures, particularly those shaped by the African Diaspora. You’ll find this course valuable if you are:
- Students of ethnobotany, botany, anthropology, history, or related fields
Seeking a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical dimensions of plant use. - Individuals interested in African Diaspora studies
Wanting to explore the resilience, adaptation, and cultural expressions of African descendants through their interactions with plants. - Herbalists, traditional healers, and practitioners of African-based religions
Interested in learning more about the historical roots and contemporary applications of plant-based healing and spiritual practices. - Conservationists and environmentalists
Concerned with preserving biocultural diversity and understanding the impact of human activity on plant-people relationships. - Food enthusiasts and culinary historians
Curious about the origins and cultural significance of African Diaspora foodways and their connection to plant knowledge. - Anyone with a passion for plants and a desire to learn about their multifaceted roles in human societies
This course offers a unique opportunity to explore the fascinating world of ethnobotany through the lens of the African Diaspora. - Individuals interested in cross-cultural exchange and cultural adaptation
The course examines how African plant traditions were transformed and maintained in the Americas, highlighting the dynamic nature of culture and knowledge transfer.
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Bob Voeks is a leading ethnobotanist and professor at California State University, Fullerton. His research explores how people use and perceive plants, especially in the African diaspora, Brazil, and other tropical regions. Voeks is known for challenging the myth that most medicinal plants come from untouched rainforests, showing instead that many are found in human-altered landscapes like gardens and forest edges.
He is the author of The Ethnobotany of Eden and Sacred Leaves of Candomblรฉ, and serves as editor of the journal Economic Botany. Through his fieldwork and writing, Dr. Voeks offers fresh insights into the cultural and ecological dynamics of plant use, advocating for a more accurate and inclusive understanding of ethnobotany.
Lectured by Bob Voeks
Course Price: $150
Level: Easy
Modules: 6
Length: 45 min.
Lessons: 21
