Religion and conservation: Hardi and hindu women in Trinidad

RESUMO

Little research has been done in the Caribbean on the inter-connections between religious practices and environmental protection. It is widely know that many medicinal plants face the imminient threat of extinction as the world races towards an ecological crisis. Hindus use hardi/tumeric (CURCUMA domestica Valeton) as a sacred item often as a main component in religious rituals, and also as as ingredient in food, cosmetics and medicine. This paper uses ethnographic research to investigate exactly how Hindu women ritualists in Trinidad cultvate, use and preserve the plant in their gardens for ready use at home and in the community. In their tireless attempts to promote biodiversity, conservationists may have to adopt a new approach by working with religious groups, or showing the public how plant protection is related to religious values