Traditional knowledge and use of wild cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) in selected communities of Tanzania
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Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
Abstract
Wild cowpeas are utilized as food, medicine, and nutritious fodder. However,
there are limited reports on the cultural significance of wild cowpeas across
different agroecologies of Tanzania. This study analyzed the traditional knowledge
and identified the most culturally important species. The study involved 260
respondents interviewed from 13 villages in seven districts, using descriptive
and ethnobotanical methods to assess traditional knowledge. Fisher’s exact test
(p = 0.0403) revealed that knowledge of wild cowpeas depends on age, not gender
and education. A Pearson’s test showed significant differences in use categories of
wild cowpeas among the respondents, with 31% as animal fodder, 6% as medicine,
3.5% as food, and 2.5% as green manure, while 57% did not use it. Spearman rank
correlations revealed positive correlations among the variables tested, with FC
and UR significantly having a high correlation index of 0.98, while the cultural
value (CVe) index highly correlated with all ethnobotany indices evaluated. Vigna
dekindtiana is the most culturally significant species, with the highest frequency
of citation (FCs = 20), use reports (URs = 27), and cultural importance (CIs = 1.125).
The leaves of V. dekindtiana have been used as animal feed and vegetables, while
its roots have been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. This study revealed
that wild cowpeas can be utilized in various ways, such as ecological and social
aspects, and in breeding programs to improve cultivated cowpeas.
Description
Journal article
Keywords
vigna, wild cowpeas, traditional knowledge, use categories, Tanzania