This document summarizes a research project to document edible plants and herbs used by the Wa people in China along the Sino-Myanmar border. The project aims to incorporate research into university teaching, build local capacity by involving Wa women, and raise awareness of Wa traditional knowledge. Researchers conducted interviews in 7 villages with local healers and patients. Data was integrated into university courses. Outcomes include teaching materials and a booklet on plants. The project helped promote traditional knowledge but also faced challenges with language barriers and limited healer expertise. Further research methodology was recommended.

1. Documenting Wa (lawa) Plants
and Herbs for Food and Medicine
in Awa Mountains
Report Authors: BAI Zhihong & CHEN Xueli
Institution: Yunnan University
Email: baiz@ynu.edu.cn

2. Aims and Objectives

3. • to document edible parts of plants and fruits in the natural
habitats of the Wa people in China along the Sino-
Myanmar border in digital format.
• to incorporate the research process as well as research
outcomes into the teaching of undergraduate and MA
students and database construction at the University.
• to build capacity by involving Wa women whose role in
feeding their families and communities have rarely been
acknowledged.
• to raise awareness of the value of Wa local knowledge
among university students, local government officials
and ordinary villagers, especially those who have been
misguided by an evolutionary paradigm and ethnocentric
ideology.

4. Methodology
Focus-group interview
In-depth interview
Qualitative analysis

5. Implementation
local healthcare officials
fieldwork sites & map
village healers
patients
classroom teaching

6. • Pre-fieldwork training, discussing topics & methods for
data collection.
• 12 students (5 MA) involved in different trips in 7
villages; 5 local doctors involved;
• available plants were quite similar; yet differences were
huge;
• data collected is currently integrated into the teaching of
undergraduate students in two courses: Anthropological
Theories (for anthropology majors), and Anthropology
and Modern Life (for non-anthropology majors) .

7. Outcomes

8. Expected outcomes
• a colored booklet and CDs (in process);
• add teaching and learning materials to Yunnan
University library and the digital database of the
research school (in process);
• hopefully, used as ex-curriculum materials in
primary schools and high schools in these three
counties

9. Outcomes attained
• a process of teaching and learning by participating
into lived experiences and affirming LK during the
data-collection process;
• empowering students and strengthening confidence
in traditional culture and LK in Wa communities to
some degree;
• enriching teaching resources in classrooms

10. Applications/Outputs

11. Classroom teaching
• Anthropological Theories (anthro undergrad. majors)
Structuralism: indigenous taxonomy
Gender Studies: women’s role
• Anthropology and Modern Life (non-anthro undergrad.
majors)
Structuralism: indigenous taxonomy
Gender Studies: women’s role
Anthro and Environment
• Gender studies for anthro-major MA students

12. Fieldwork: coursework & in the field
• Classroom teaching: Fieldwork
methodology (both undergrad. & postgrad.)
• In the field

13. Conclusions

14. • Getting foot in the village was an eye-opening
experience; focusing on plants and herbs but
• multiple fieldwork trips were essential;
• our interest in LK and our interview itself raised
awareness and promoted self-confidence among LK
holders whether old or young;
• shrinking bio-diversity due to mass production of
cash crops was overwhelming;
• further research was needed, in particular, to
develop methodological strategies to overcome
social constrains and data limitations;

15. • limited expertise in healing ailments;
• traditional healers welcome us as
patients/clients, but not researchers.
• conflicting names and usages
• ordinary villages who can be important LK
holders;
• language barrier and availability of Wa women

16. Recommendations

17. • Research ethics
• Local transportation
• Intoxication
• Need qualitative research

18. References

19. Thank you!
Report Authors: BAI Zhihong & CHEN Xueli
Institution: Yunnan University
Email: baiz@ynu.edu.cn