Fungi and Indigenous Knowledge: Reports from Southeast Asia
Christian Lloyd R. Evangelista, Angeles M. de Leon, Thomas Edison E. Dela Cruz
November 20, 2025 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-95-2640-6_1 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractEthnomycology examines the relationships between people, especially indigenous cultures, and fungi, covering uses for food, medicine, crafts, and cultural rituals. The field focuses on traditional knowledge passed down through generations, including methods for identifying and using fungi. Southeast Asia, home to over 123 million indigenous people, is highlighted as a rich source of such knowledge, with abundant macrofungi employed in culinary, medicinal, and ritual contexts, including ancient records of psychedelic mushroom use.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Southeast asia Traditional knowledge Indigenous culture Field research Geography |
| Key finding | Proposes that Southeast Asia's indigenous populations possess extensive traditional knowledge of fungi, with macrofungi used for food, medicine, and cultural rituals, including historical psychedelic use. |
Abstract
AbstractEthnomycology studies how people, particularly indigenous cultures, engage with fungi, including their use for food, medicine, crafts, and cultural rituals and beliefs. This field investigates the traditional knowledge that indigenous cultures have accumulated and passed down over generations, including their distinct methods of identifying, using, and appreciating various fungi. Southeast Asia has over 123 million indigenous people and, therefore, is a rich source of traditional knowledge on fungi, with abundant macrofungi used in culinary, medicine, and cultural rituals including ancient records of using mushrooms as psychedelics.