Ethnobotany as a parameter for the study of cultural mimicry among Roma people

Abstract

The nomadic behavior of Roma people has allowed their cultural interaction with people from different continents. Brazil has received Roma immigrants since its colonization, and there are currently more than 800,000 Roma people among the Brazilian population. This article describes the ethnobotanical knowledge of two Calon families (Alves and Dantas) established in hinterland cities of Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil. The survey was conducted with 23 informants (≥ 40 years old, 85% of the target audience) selected through the snowball technique and using semi-structured interviews. The plants mentioned were collected, identified and deposited in the IPA and UFP herbaria. The 157 species (85 native) are used for food, condiment, cosmetic, medicinal, ritualistic, technological, veterinary, and other purposes. The useful flora and forms of use are similar to those reported by non-Roma communities living in the same region, showing a kind of mimicry adopted by the Roma people, yet maintaining their cultural identity.