Ethnobotanical Assessment of Culturally Important Firewood Species Used for Cooking in Nyakelang Section of the Lemondokop Village, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Authors

  • Mahlodi Masekela University of South Africa
  • Professor K Semenya Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Science Campus, Florida, South Africa, 1709
  • Dr Lerato Sekhohola-Dlamini Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Science Campus, Florida, South Africa, 1709

Abstract

Background: Rural South Africa areas depend on forests for firewood, yet the systematic documentation of the most-used and culturally important species remains limited despite notable annual consumptions. This study addresses this gap by documenting culturally salient firewood species and their selection criteria among Nyakelang section households in Lemondokop Village, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Materials and Methods: Using the free-listing method within the Cultural Domain Analysis framework, alongside Smith’s salience, Use Consensus (UC), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), the study examined how traditional ecological knowledge, and socio-economic factors shape firewood use.

Results and Discussion: Data were collected from 128 households. Participants were mostly females (73%), aged between 36-45 years (26%), with secondary education (54%), and unemployed (27%). Thirty-eight firewood species were mentioned, and piecewise linear regression identified a salience breakpoint at 2.25, distinguishing core species; Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn., Combretum zeyheri Sond., and Combretum apiculatum (Hochst.) Engl. & Diels. The UC confirmed these species as broadly recognised, while the ICF revealed a strong agreement on selection criteria; “burns well” (ICF = 0.828), “availability” (ICF = 0.822), and “burns for a long time” (ICF = 0.738). Other criteria showed moderate-to-low consensus, indicating variations in knowledge or preference.

Conclusions: Species preference was primarily driven by availability and necessity rather than cultural significance, reflecting women’s knowledge in salience rankings. Moreover, poverty and limited education undermined sustainable firewood use, while legal frameworks remain misaligned with community practices. Energy policies should therefore integrate indigenous knowledge, promote sustainable resource use, consider community realities, and reduce firewood dependence to mitigate health and environmental risks.

Keywords: Domestic energy, Criteria of selection, Use consensus, Informant Consensus Factor, Smith’s salience index

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Published

2025-10-27

How to Cite

Masekela, M., Semenya, K., & Sekhohola-Dlamini, L. M. (2025). Ethnobotanical Assessment of Culturally Important Firewood Species Used for Cooking in Nyakelang Section of the Lemondokop Village, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 32, 1–22. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/7476

Issue

Vol. 32 (2025)

Section

Research

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