Ethnobotany of the Waimiri Atroari Indians of Brazil.1992. 4 colourplates.Many line-drawings. VIII,160 p.gr8vo.Paper bd.

The Waimiri Atroari are a Carib-speaking tribe of Amazonian Indians,whose population has declined since intensive contact with the outside world commenced in the 1970s. A study of their ethnobotany was carried out in 1989 on behalf of Programa Waimiri Atroari. Their history and their current situation are discussed. Quantitative data are presented for their use of the 214 tree and liana species in one hectare of terra firme forest, to 79% of which useful properties were attributed.Seven principal plant use categories: food, technology, medicine,construction, fuel, ritual and commerce are discussed in the light ofthe recent changes which the tribe has undergone. Plant-use data are presented for over 300 species, together with information regarding their distribution and ecology, and references to previous records of their useful properties.