The Usefulness of Indigenous Plants and Vegetables in contemporary Society

Abstract

Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) is tacit knowledge available in local people of any community which can be used in all sectors of life and development. This knowledge is passed from generation to generation through oral tradition, song and dance. The invasion of traditional societies through colonization, modernization and globalization has threatened the resilience of IKS and some literature argues that it is being driven into extinction. This paper argues that Indigenous knowledge Systems are undeniably resistant and resilient as evidenced by the continuous inevitable use of indigenous plant varieties  in Africa and the rest of the world during outbreaks of pandemics like COVID-19 and even use in day to day treatment of humans and domestic animals. Through the use of individual telephone interviews, teleconference focus group with rural and urban key informants from Chirumanzu District, Gokwe District and Harare North low density residential area, the paper discovered twenty four (24) indigenous plant varieties , 5 non-indigenous plants, and 5 indigenous vegetables which people are using to improve health systems and strengthens the lungs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The same plant varieties have been used in everyday life even before the outbreak of the current pandemic, indicating their undeniable usefulness in the lives of people. The paper therefore recommends that more research should be done and literature should be written on the role of these different plant varieties so that the knowledge is kept safe and readily available for future generations. Documentation is very critical as a migratory measure against the extinction of the crucial role of indigenous knowledge systems