Book
Zapotec plant knowledge: classification, uses and communication about plants in Mitla, Oaxaca, Mexico
Xerox University Micofilms • Ann Arbor • Published In 1979 • Pages:
By: Messer, Ellen.
AbstractBrief abstract written by HRAF anthropologists who have done the subject indexing for the document
This document offers a thorough description and analysis of the classification and uses of plants in Mitla, including both cultivated and wild species. Attention is focused on the sociology of botanical knowledge, examining how familiarity with plants and their uses is acquired, variability in levels of knowledge by age, occupation and income level, ways in which the system of classification accommodates change, and ways in which socio-economic change is altering modes of plant use. A great deal of information is presented on the conceptualization of health and disease in Mitla, with rich data on self-diagnosis and treatment, consultation with various types of medical specialists, and uses of dietary, plant and non-plant remedies. The hot/cold classification system is discussed at length in this context. Information on this system will be found in a number of OCMs as follows: 820 for general statements; 772 for cosmological aspects of the system; 171 for historical and other comparative aspects; 824 for plant classification; 826 for characterizations of the body in these terms; 827 for descriptions of bodily reactions; 753 for data on thermal imbalance as a cause of illness; 757 and 755 for diagnosis and treatment of such illness; 278 for hot/cold classification of patent and other non-herbal remedial substances; 261 for general ideas about food in these terms; and 262 for dietary data.
- SubjectsDocument-level OCM identifiers given by the anthropology subject indexers at HRAF
- Ethnobotany
- Flora
- Theory of disease
- Medical therapy
- Ideas about nature and people
- Pharmaceuticals
- Diet
- Collecting
- Theoretical orientation in research and its results
- cultureCulture name from the Outline of World Cultures (OWC)
- Zapotec
- HRAF PubDateThe date HRAF published the document
- 2009
- RegionThe area the document pertains to
- Middle America and the Caribbean
- Sub RegionThe more specific area the document pertains to, which is located within the Region
- Central Mexico
- Document TypeMay include journal articles, essays, collections of essays, monographs, or chapters/parts of monographs
- Book
- Evaluation
- Creator TypeThe type of person writing the document, e.g. Ethnographer, Missionary, Archaeologist, Folklorist, Linguist, Indigenous Person, and so on.
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating A ranking done by HRAF anthropologists based on the strength of the source material on a scale of 1 to 5, as follows: 1 - poor; 2 - fair; 3 - good, useful data, but not uniformly excellent; 4 - excellent secondary data; 5 - excellent primary data.
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- AnalystThe HRAF anthropologist who subject indexed the document and prepared other materials for the eHRAF culture/tradition collection
- Jan Simpson ; 1980: John Beierle; 2007
- Field DateThe date the researcher conducted the fieldwork or archival research that produced the document
- 1971-1974
- Coverage DateThe date or dates that the information in the document pertains to
- 1971-1974
- Coverage PlaceLocation of the research culture or tradition (often a smaller unit such as a band, community, or archaeological site)
- Town of Mitla, Valley Zapotec, Oaxaca, Mexico
- NotesAdditional notes
- Ellen Messer
- Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Michigan, 1975
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 529-537)
- LCSHLibrary of Congress Subject Headings
- Zapotec Indians