Ethnobotany of bamboo on Weh Island, Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Bamboo plays a vital role in the daily lives of Indonesian people, being utilized across various domains. The majority of research on bamboo ethnobotany has focused on the main islands of Indonesia, neglecting the smaller islands like Weh Island in Aceh, where no information or documentation about bamboo ethnobotany is currently available. This study aimed to examine the ethnobotanical aspects of bamboo on Weh Island. Methods:The study took place on Weh Island, Aceh, Indonesia, from July to November 2022. Seventy respondents were randomly selected. Data analysis included the use value index (UV), index of cultural significance (ICS), fidelity level (FL), informant consensus factor (ICF), and utilized plant parts. Results:The local community on Weh Island utilized eight bamboo species (Bambusa multiplex, B. spinosa, B. tuldoides, B. vulgaris, Dendrocalamus asper, Schizostachyum brachycladum, S. silicatum, and Thyrsostachys siamensis) for various purposes such as ornamental plants, food sources, construction materials, furniture, medicine, handicrafts, animal feed, agriculture construction, traditional toys, and kitchen utensils. The UV and ICS values of bamboo on Weh Island vary between 0.155 (B. tuldoides) and 0.918 (B. vulgaris) for UV, and from 3 (B. tuldoides) to 64 (B. vulgaris) for ICS. The FL values vary from 14.81% (B. spinosa) to 88.23% (B. vulgaris), and the ICF values vary from 0.90 (liver disease) to 1.00 (gastric ulcer, panas dalam, lower back pain, hypertension, and asthma). The parts of bamboo utilized on Weh Island include the entire plant (23.53%), from the rhizomes/roots (5.88%), young shoots (11.77%), culms (52.94%), to the leaves (5.88%). Conclusions:The Weh Island community uses eight bamboo species; B. vulgaris is the most useful and important, while B. tuldoides is the least. Bambusa vulgaris is favoured for treating ailments. Locals consistently view bamboo as a remedy for issues like gout, gastric ulcers, panas dalam, lower back pain, hypertension, and asthma. The culm of bamboo is the most utilized part of Weh Island.