Ethnoichthyology: Critical analysis and perspectives
1 Unit of Aquaculture Research and Fisheries Management (URAGeP), Laboratory of Fisheries and Animal Sciences (LaSAH), National University of Agriculture (UNA) BP 43 Kétou, Republic of Benin.
2 Laboratory of Hydrobiology and Aquaculture (LHA), Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01BP 526 Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
3 Unit in Forestry and Bioresource Conservation, Laboratory of Plant, Horticultural and Forestry Sciences Research, National University of Agriculture (UNA) BP 43 Kétou, Republic of Benin
4 Unit of research in social change and of rural Communication, Laboratory of Rural Economy and Social Sciences for Sustainable Development (LERSSoDD), National University of Agriculture (UNA) BP 43, Republic of Benin.
Research Article
International Journal of Frontline Research in Science and Technology, 2022, 01(01), 038–047.
Article DOI: 10.56355/ijfrst.2022.1.1.0004
Publication history:
Received on 02 February 2022; revised on 29 March 20222; accepted on 31 March 2022
Abstract:
Ethnoichthyology is a science that deals with the relationship between humans and fish species. It is essential for the construction of new knowledge. This synthesis proposes a critical analysis of existing studies on ethnoichthyology in order to identify gaps and guide future studies. The literature search was conducted using Google scholar and Agora. Synonyms of the words fish, ethnicity, knowledge and traditional were used to identify keywords. The identified keywords were entered into the English and French search engines. The literature search identified 237 documents on Agora and 71 documents on Google scholar. The documents selected for the systematic review are 31. The nomenclature of local fish names is related to morphological, behavioural or environmental traits of the fish. Fish species are used medicinally to treat many ailments including malaria, haemorrhoids, abdominal cramps and infections. Culturally, some species are used in wedding ceremonies, funerals, sacrifices etc. Very few documents in the literature deal with the cultural, medicinal and symbolic uses of fish. This synthesis evokes the need for a study of the classification value of local fish names without forgetting the socio-cultural, medicinal and symbolic uses of fish according to ethnic groups.
Keywords:
Traditional knowledge; Ethnobiology; Ethnoichthyology; Ethnic group; Fish
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