Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Enset (Ensete ventricosum) is a crucial perennial crop in Ethiopia for both food and medicine. The indigenous knowledge and practices of the use and biosystematics of the different Enset landraces are deeply rooted in the community.  Thus, the study aims to explore the traditional knowledge and practices of the Gurage community regarding Enset folklore biosystematics and the utilization of Enset in bone healing. Method: The study utilized semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observations to document traditional medicinal uses, cultivation practices, and indigenous biosystematics of Enset in four selected Woredas (Cheha, Ezhe, Enor, and Gumer) of Gurage Zone, Central Ethiopia from 603 respondents. Descriptive statistics were employed for data presentation. Results: A total of 37 Enset landraces were identified across the study Woredas. Landraces were identified primarily based on leaf and pseudostem color (62%) and size (24.7%). The majority of respondents (57.7%) were knowledgeable about 6-10 Enset landraces, while 21% knew 11-15 varieties. Four landraces—Astara (31.3%), Kibinar (22.9%), Dere (22.4%), and Guarye (20.1%)—were most commonly used for healing fractured and broken bones. Corms are the major parts of Enset used for healing fractured bones and setting broken bones by mixing them with yogurt, milk, or meat to treat.  Enset also serves as livestock fodder (42.3%) and for making household materials (23.3%), with 91.4% cultivated in home gardens. Disease susceptibility, insects, and wild animals were identified as major challenges for Enset production. Conclusion: Indigenous knowledge has played a great role in identifying, classifying, and cultivating Enset landraces. Astara, Kibinar, Dere, and Guarye are the most frequently used Enset landraces for healing fractured and broken bones. Further experimental studies to validate the ethnopharmacological uses of Enset for bone healing are highly recommended.