Ethnobotanical knowledge of the Nyah Kur: An ethnic group preserving the language of the Dvaravati Period

Abstract

Background: The Nyah Kur are an ethnic minority in northeastern Thailand widely recognized as descendants of ancient Mon populations associated with the Dvaravati period. Despite their rich cultural heritage and long-standing relationship with local plant resources, systematic ethnobotanical documentation of Nyah Kur plant knowledge remains limited. This study aims to document the diversity of plants used by the Nyah Kur and to examine how these plant resources are integrated into subsistence practices, traditional knowledge systems, and cultural activities.

Methods: Ethnobotanical fieldwork was conducted in 2023-2024 in two Nyah Kur villages in Thep Sathit district, Chaiyaphum province, Thailand. Data were collected from ten key informants aged 45-80 years using free-listing, semi-structured interviews, group discussions, and the walk-in-the-wood method. Plant specimens were collected, identified using the Flora of Thailand, and deposited in the Herbarium of the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden (QBG). Plant uses were classified following the Economic Botany Data Collection Standard.

Results: A total of 323 plant species belonging to 90 families were recorded. These plants served diverse functions within the Nyah Kur livelihood system, including food (46%), materials (26%), medicines (16%), fuels (5%), social uses (5%), environmental uses (<1%), invertebrate poisons (1%), and vertebrate poisons (<1%). Leaves (24%), infructescences (21%), and stems (19%) were the most frequently used plant parts. Plants play significant cultural roles in traditional foods such as “Pana hla chun” and “Drak Chul”, and in ceremonial practices including the “Hae Ho Dok Phueng” ritual during the Songkran festival.

Conclusions: The Nyah Kur possess extensive traditional ecological knowledge reflected in the diverse use of local plant resources. Documenting this knowledge contributes to the preservation of cultural heritage and provides valuable insights for biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management in northeastern Thailand.

Keywords: Chao Bon; Plant use diversity; Chaiyaphum province; Local knowledge; Mon-Khmer linguistic group