In 2019 East London Museum opened a new permanent exhibition “Plants and People”. This exhibition presents some of the plants that grow and are used in the Eastern Cape and all are featured in the new Imifino: Guide to Edible Wild Plants in the Eastern Cape. An English version in colour of the Guide has been made particularly for the Exhibition. The aim of the Exhibition is the same as that of the Guide: to increase awareness of knowledge associated with plant resources, and highlight some of the ways in which botanical knowledge has been acquired and transferred through generations.
Plants have played a major role in the history of humankind. People use plants to fulfil their need for nutrition, shelter, water, fuel, medicine and for cultural purposes. In the past humans lived in small groups, hunted wild animals and gathered wild plants. People survived by maintaining a balance with their environment. Early populations, including San or Bushmen, followed this lifestyle. Environmental changes and other factors encouraged people to adapt to farming and agriculture.
Urbanisation, migrant labour, greater access to health care and education, increased population and degrading environments have led to socio-cultural changes. People’s relationship with the environment has become more detached as fewer people grow their own food. This has led to a decrease in knowledge about plants in our environment and how to use them.
