Entomophagy and ethno-therapeutic practices of insects among the Bodo community of Bodoland Territorial Region, Assam, India
Bhaigyaroti Muchahary 1, Uma Dutta 2*, Trishna Kalita 1, Barnali Haloi 1, Enush Daimari 1and Deepshikha Moran3
1,2Department of Zoology, Cotton University, Guwahati-781001 (India) 3Department of Zoology, Dibru College, Dibrugarh-786003 (India) *Corresponding author email: umadutta@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Entomophagy is a common practice among the Bodo community of Assam, Northeast India. A survey was conducted in villages of four districts of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) that are inhabited by Bodos. The study documented 32 species of insects belonging to 19 families and 8 orders consumed by the Bodo people residing in BTR. It was also recorded that certain edible insects are used by Bodo tribes for therapeutic purposes viz. Tarbinskiellus portentosus, Apis indica, Samia ricini, Lethocerus indicus, Oecophylla smaragdina, Vespa sp. and Ruspolia baileyi for treating weakness, cold, cough, fever, stomach related problems, cuts, wounds, etc. Further, the proximate contents of six insect species that are most frequently consumed by the Bodos were also determined. Result indicates that these insects have great nutritional value. Therefore, insect eating is a healthy practice, providing nutritional and therapeutic values to the consumers, in addition to its savoury taste. Thus, entomophagy needs to be encouraged, especially among the young generations so that this age-old practice does not get lost.