HIBISCUS CANNABINUS, A RITUAL OR MAGICAL PLANT WITH A STRONG SOCIO-CULTURAL IDENTITY AMONG THE MOSSI AND GURUNSI ETHNIC GROUPS IN BURKINA FASO: CULINARY, MEDICINAL, ARCHITECTURAL AND ARTISANAL USE

Traditional agriculture in tropical areas of Africa is characterized by diversified cropping systems with low agricultural inputs. In these cropping systems, local leafy vegetables occupy a special place because they serve as food supplements and contribute to reducing the poverty of populations. This is the case of Hibiscus cannabinus, one of the main traditional leafy vegetables in Burkina Faso, which plays an important role in the culinary art of the Mossi and Gurunsi communities. This study aims to contribute to a better knowledge of local expertise on this plant of socio-cultural importance through an inventory of culinary, medicinal and artisanal uses as well as the identification of preferential organs for farmers for this purpose. Ethnobotanical surveys were carried out exclusively in the Mossi and Gurunsi zones of Burkina Faso. The information was collected through semi-structured interviews. This study revealed that in these two ethnic entities, fresh leaves are used in the preparation of local dishes by 90% of housewives and in the pharmacopoeia. The roots, the fibers and the seeds are also organs used by the local populations respectively in traditional medicine, in handicrafts and construction and in food. Organs used in cooking are also used in traditional medicine.