ETHNOBOTANICAL SURVEY OF SELECTED MEMBERS OF TGE FAMILY CUCURBITACEAE IN WAMAKKO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, SOKOTO

Abstract

This study investigated the ethnobotanical knowledge and traditional uses of selected members of the Cucurbitaceae family in Wamakko Local Government Area, Sokoto State, Nigeria. The research focused on documenting local species, their uses, and cultural importance within Hausa and Fulani communities. Data were collected from 100 respondents including farmers, traditional healers, elders, and women using interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations. Results showed that the majority of respondents were elderly males with little or no formal education, indicating that ethnobotanical knowledge is mainly preserved among older generations. Six primary species were identified as widely recognized: Citrullus lanatus (watermelon), Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin), Lagenaria siceraria (bottle gourd), Momordica charantia (bitter melon), Citrullus colocynthis (egusi bara), and Trichosanthes cucumerina (snake gourd). The most frequently used plant parts were leaves, fruits, and seeds, prepared mainly through decoction, infusion, or roasting. Food and nutrition represented the dominant use category (averaging 60–85%), followed by medicinal (10–55%) and cultural applications (up to 40%), showing that Cucurbitaceae species serve multiple community needs. The study concludes that these plants remain essential to local nutrition, healthcare, and cultural practices but that the knowledge base is at risk of decline. It recommends documentation, conservation initiatives, and scientific validation of the documented species to promote sustainable use and preserve indigenous knowledge.