On the typology and the worship status of sacred trees with a special reference to the Middle East

Dafni, Amots

doi:10.1186/1746-4269-2-26

Cited by 45 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…Trees have played a special role in the development of many cultures, where certain tree species have been considered sacred (Dafni 2006). In this regard, there are reports for tree species that have been domesticated since remote times in the Old World.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Some aspects of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) diversity and domestication in Mesoamerica

Galindo-Tovar

Ogata-Aguilar

Arzate-Fernández

2007

Genet Resour Crop Evol

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Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is a major tropical fruit, with origin in Mesoamerica area. Avocado is a very variable species and taxonomically poorly understood. It has been grown in the Neotropics since ancient times and it seems that the domestication of this tree in Mesoamerica started before other annual crops. In addition, it seems that much of avocado diversity as ecological differences, were originated as a result of cultural diversity. In view of this, avocado represents an interesting model to study domestication of tropical trees and develop forest management and germplasm conservation strategies. At present time, P. americana is worldwide distributed with Mexico as the main producer. However, there are some aspects on the origin, dispersion, and domestication of the species that remain to be answered. In this paper, we present a survey of these issues from the earliest to present time in Mesoamerica.Resumen El aguacate (Persea americana Mill.) es una importante fruta tropical, originaria del área de Mesoamérica. El aguacate es una especie altamente variable y su taxonomía aún no ha sido totalmente definida. El aguacate se ha desarrollado en el Neotrópico desde tiempos antiguos y es posible que su domesticación en Mesoamérica se iniciara antes que otras plantas anuales. También es probable que en gran medida su diversidad se originara además de las diferencias ecológicas, también como resultado de la diversidad cultural. Debido a esto, el aguacate representa un modelo interesante para estudiar procesos de domesticación en árboles tropicales y desarrollar estrategias de manejo en bosques y conservación del germoplasma. Actualmente, P. americana está distribuida en todo el mundo y México es el principal productor. Sin embargo, algunos aspectos del origen, dispersión y domesticación de la especie no han sido clarificados. En este artículo presentamos una investigación sobre estos aspectos, desde tiempos antiguos hasta el presente en el área de Mesoamérica.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Some aspects of avocado (Persea americana Mill.) diversity and domestication in Mesoamerica

Galindo-Tovar

Ogata-Aguilar

Arzate-Fernández

2007

Genet Resour Crop Evol

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“…Cutting is common, but we are trying to keep them from being cut." Growing urban demands for acacia firewood and charcoal provide incentives that overpower the traditional Beja stigma on charcoalers as poor people (Christensen 1998). Surges in charcoal demand often correspond with developments of transportation and urban growth corridors, such as along the Suakin-Atbara railway (completed 1905) and the road that parallels it (opened in 1980) (Christensen 1998).…”

Section: Uprooting People and Treesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many Beja claiming personal ownership of trees near their homes interpret tribal law to mean they have the right to cut down living trees for charcoal (cf. also Christensen 1998). Commercial charcoal production is increasing to the degree that in some places charcoaling has become the main source of Beja income.…”

Section: Uprooting People and Treesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Acacia trees on the cultural landscapes of the Red Sea Hills

et al. 2014

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This paper examines interactions between five pastoral nomadic culture groups of the Egyptian and Sudanese Red Sea Hills and the acacia trees Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne subsp. tortilis and subsp. raddiana growing in their arid environments. A. tortilis is described as a keystone species both ecologically and culturally: the trees play such critical roles in ecosystems and social groups that their removal would greatly impact both systems. Interviews in the field with the Semitic, Arabic-speaking Ma'aza and Ababda, and the Cushitic, Beja, Bidhaawyeet-speaking Bishaari, Amar Ar and Hadandawa nomads probed the cultural and ecological contexts of acacias in pastoral nomadism, revealing deep insight into traditional ecological knowledge and traditional perceptions and uses of the trees. The paper describes how this knowledge guides pastoral decision-making, with acacias as a particularly critical component of the pastoral livelihood in both normal and stressful circumstances. A. tortilis is the most important reliable vegetation resource for nomads while also providing fuel and other useful products, ecosystem services for people and animals, and increased biodiversity by providing diverse microhabitats and resources for other species. We describe aspects of kinship, territorial organization, spiritual beliefs and tribal law underlying the significance of trees on the cultural landscape. We discuss environmental and economic challenges to human/tree relationships and to pastoral livelihoods. We challenge views of nomads as agents of ecological destruction, and propose maintenance and restoration of traditional pastoralism as viable alternatives in dryland development.

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“…In Israel, many ancient trees were preserved precisely because they are located at religious sites. Dafni (2002Dafni ( , 2006 observes the common tradition in the middle east of infusing trees with sacred values. While the age of the tree is generally not a precondition to sacredness, many of the sacred trees documented are in fact among the country's oldest.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%