Indigenous knowledge on the conservation of Wikstroemia delavayi Lecomte for papermaking by the Naxi ethnic group of Northwest Yuman China
2005
Yang Lixin
The study described and analyzed the indigenous knowledge of the Naxi people in conservation of Wikstroemia delavayi for handmade paper in Kenbeigu village, Lijiang City, Northwest Yunan, China. Specifically, this study: 1) characterized and analyzed the W. delavayi habitats; 2) described Naxi people's indigenous knowledge on the conservation of W. delavayi and on Dongba papermaking using w. delavayi; 3) explained the factors that affect the condition of W. delavayi as raw material for papermaking; and 4) recommended courses of action that would improve the conservation of W. delavayi habitats. Out of the total of 61 respondents interviewed, 36 (59.06%) were villagers, 8 (13.15%) were collectors, and 17 (27.87%) were traders. Data were analyzed using descriptive and quantitative analyses. Based on the results of the study, the Naxi people have acquired extensive indigenous knowledge about W. delavayi because of their deep understanding of their environment. The availability of W. delavayi as a raw material for Naxi papermaking influences the Naxi's indigenous knowledge of papermaking. With the use of collection cycles (2 or 3 year cycle), W. delavayi composition can be restored gradually. Hence, the traditional way of collecting W. delavayi is considered sustainable biodiversity management. The conservation of W. delavayi is mediated by the social environment that surrounds it. Where there is restraint in the collection of species by the surrounding indigenous communities like the Naxis, the W. delavayi stands could grow abundantly when they are collected mainly for subsistence purposes. In areas where there is heavy collection of the bark of species due to high market demand, the stand of W. delavayi thins out and dwarfens.
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