This talk series explores the ways that plants and people interact through the lens of the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Biocultural Collection. The objects in this collection, which range from simple carved wooden spoons to complex herbal compounds, are tangible evidence of the ways that plants and people interact. They are a valuable resource for understanding humanity’s biocultural heritage, and for the conservation of nature itself. They are also a means of preserving traditional knowledge, documenting livelihoods, and showing the lasting influence of ethnobotany on the diversity of human cultures.
"Malagasia musicalis, an endemic/native vibe (sound) from the Island of Madagascar" with Dr. Armand Randrianasolo and Team
In a number of different elements of life, the island of Madagascar has been known to be incredibly unique, including most notably, its plants and animals. However, it is also recognized for the unique cultural elements of its people. One of these unique cultural elements is the traditional music played with instruments made with plants known to be native to the island. In 2008, the MBG launched an ethnobotanical research program to document and compile as well as to preserve the Malagasy traditional knowledge on the usage of plants. The program has a variety of research topics that focus on the relationship between Malagasy people and plants. One of the current projects centers around traditional Malagasy musical instruments, with the project’s main goals being the collection of Malagasy traditional musical instruments and the documentation of their place of origin, as well as the plant species used to make them.
This talk will include Malagasy content with English translation, with introduction and Q&A in English. ASL interpretation and live captioning will be provided, and this presentation will be recorded for later viewing on the Missouri Botanical Garden YouTube channel.