BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA SHEET

Among the Tlokwa hunting is primarily a male activity while collection of
edible leaves, roots, tubers, berries, and fruits is mainly practiced by young
girls and women. Most gathering of edible plants takes place within cattle
grazing areas or near cultivated fields; edible species that sprout within
Tlokwa settlements are generally rejected as food because of concern over
contamination by animal or human waste. .xceptions, however, include rl1nts
that sprout within family household compounds and fruits/berries above the
browse-line of goats and other Tlokwa livestock.
The Tlokwa -- classified as an "agricultural-pastoral" society -- regularly
utilize 121 wild plants as food; a number that is certainly underestimated
(Table 30). Such wild plants play important dietary roles both throughout the
calandar year and just before harvest. Edible wild greens are available through­
out the year in either fresh or preserved form; fresh between October-January,
afterwhich the leaves are cooked, shaped into compact cakes, sun-dried, and stor­
ed (stored sometimes for three or four years), then rehydrated and sered as
food. Bulbs, roots, and tubers are used primarly between October and January.
Bushlands surrounding Tlokwa settlements contain fruits, nuts, and seeds mainly
between November-March; most are eaten fresh although three may be sun-dried
and preserved for winter use (Euclea schimperi, Grewia flava, and Sclerocarya
caffra). Plants used to prepare beverages are seasonal in nature. During
Spring (October-November) small tender leaves from Combretum transvaalense,
Grewia flava, latropha zeyheri, and L6ppia scaherima are sought for brewing.
In Summer (December-February) berries =nr! f uits, and a few bulbs, are sought
to make fermented or fresh beverages, especially Boscia foetida rehmanniana,
Grewia spp., Papea capensis, Rhus spp., Vangueria infausta, and Ximenia caffra.
61.