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The
grand tradition of ethnobotany places western scientists into rural,
usually tropical communities to explore the local wisdom about the
varied uses of neighborhood flora. Ethnobotanists in recent years
have experienced a bit of a renaissance, even making their way into
popular films.
In
contrast, ethnobotany's lesser cousin Ethnomyrmecology trudges slowly
forward in relative obscurity. In the interest of providing a much-needed
boost to the study of indigenous uses for ants I have been taking
advantage of my presence in Paraguay to probe the local people about
what use, if any, paraguayan campesinos find for ants.
"In
the old days," stated a willing informant, a wrinkled man of
about 60, "we used to walk through the forest keeping an eye
out for the fearsome 'tahyi guaikuru.' [Eciton burchelli
army ants]. When I crossed a column, I'd stop suddenly, motion for
my friend to be very quiet, and point skyward."
"Skyward?"
I exclaimed. "But the ants are on the ground!"
"Of course
they are! With any luck, and a little engineering, the poor dupe
would stop and look upward into the trees, his feet planted right
in the middle of a vicious stream of marauding 'tahyi'."
Of course. Army
ants, a time-honored Paraguayan wedgie.
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