Bio-cultural habits of plant consumption in the food system of traditional Sasak’s villages (Indonesia)

Abstract

Background: The Sasak people are the Indigenous population of Lombok Island. In a rural context, traditional villages (desa adat) represent the most conservative segment of Sasak’s ethnicity, where they continue to uphold original customs and bio-culturally preserve the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). A significant aspect of TEK relates to plant-based foods and their consumption habits. This study aimed to elucidate dietary habits associated with plant consumption by identifying several bio-cultural traits linked to specific groups of plant parts (botanicals) consumed with varying frequencies throughout the year.

Methods: Data were collected using Food Frequency Questionnaires administered to 35 women in seven Sasak traditional villages. Statistical analyses, including cluster analysis and Principal Component Analysis, were performed using Ginkgo software to identify bio-cultural traits associated with botanical consumption patterns.

Results: The study documented 77 botanicals from 68 plant species and 33 families consumed in Sasak traditional villages. Cluster analysis identified five groups of botanicals with distinct consumption patterns, ranging from seasonal to daily use. The findings revealed two plant consumption cycles in the traditional Sasak diet: a primary cycle centered around white rice as a staple and a secondary cycle that increased dietary diversity through seasonal fruits and plant-based dishes.

Conclusions: The observed patterns of plant consumption highlight their significance in sustaining traditional Sasak diets and bio-cultural practices. These patterns demonstrate how the traditional food system is shaped by the Sasak people’s bio-cultural traits, emphasizing the importance of preserving their unique food systems as a bio-cultural signature of Indigenous People and traditional villages.

Keywords: Bio-cultural erosion, Indigenous Sasak people, Food-Frequency Questionnaires, Traditional Diet, Food plant, Fruit plant, Lesser Sunda Island, Stunting