Pequi (Caryocar coriaceum Wittm., Caryocaraceae) Oil Production: A strong economically influenced tradition in the Araripe region, northeastern Brazil

Authors

  • Maria Clara Bezerra Tenório Cavalcanti Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco
  • Letícia Zenóbia de Oliveira Campos Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco
  • Rosemary da Silva Sousa Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco
  • Ulysses Paulino Albuquerque Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco

Keywords:

Traditional knowledge, resource use, local culture, non timber forest products

Abstract

The extraction of pequi (Caryocar coriaceum Wittm.) oil is a traditional activity that occurs between December and March. This extraction is performed by communities from the Araripe region, northeastern Brazil, and is very important to the local economy and culture. However, this practice has never been described in the literature. Thus, this photographic essay presents a description of this activity. The fruit are collected inside Araripe-Apodi National Forest (FLONA); oil production occurs in temporary settlements near FLONA, and oil marketing occurs on the highway and public markets in cities nearby this location. The Pequi Collectors’ Ranch Festival ends the process when typical pequi meals are made and sold and a Catholic mass is performed to give thanks for the harvest. In addition to being a significant cultural and economic practice, pequi oil production is an important part of local people’s lives. Therefore, we must encourage its socioecological sustainability.

Author Biographies

Maria Clara Bezerra Tenório Cavalcanti, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco

Departamento de Biologia, Laboratório de Etnobiologia Aplicada e Teórica (LEA). Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros s/n, Dois Irmãos – Recife – Pernambuco – Brasil, 52171-030

Letícia Zenóbia de Oliveira Campos, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco

Departamento de Biologia, Laboratório de Etnobiologia Aplicada e Teórica (LEA). Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros s/n, Dois Irmãos – Recife – Pernambuco – Brasil, 52171-030

Rosemary da Silva Sousa, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco

Departamento de Biologia, Laboratório de Etnobiologia Aplicada e Teórica (LEA). Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros s/n, Dois Irmãos – Recife – Pernambuco – Brasil, 52171-030

Ulysses Paulino Albuquerque, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco

Departamento de Biologia, Laboratório de Etnobiologia Aplicada e Teórica (LEA). Rua Dom Manuel de Medeiros s/n, Dois Irmãos – Recife – Pernambuco – Brasil, 52171-030

Downloads

Published

2015-12-25

How to Cite

Cavalcanti, M. C. B. T., Campos, L. Z. de O., Sousa, R. da S., & Albuquerque, U. P. (2015). Pequi (Caryocar coriaceum Wittm., Caryocaraceae) Oil Production: A strong economically influenced tradition in the Araripe region, northeastern Brazil. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 14, 437–452. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/1161

Issue

Vol. 14 (2015)

Section

Notes on Ethnobotany

License

All articles are copyrighted by the first author and are published online by license from the first author. Articles are intended for free public distribution and discussion without charge. Accuracy of the content is the responsibility of the authors.