September 10, 2025
Plants, people and culture; an introduction into ethnobotany
Time: 11:00 AM PDT
Webinar Summary
Learn about ethnobotany, the fascinating field of study that explores the relationship between people and plants, in food, medicine, clothing, religion, mythology and more.
In this webinar we will explore how plants fulfil our human needs and how the study of ethnobotany has evolved over time. We will discuss how traditional knowledge is part of the biocultural diversity of our earth and plays a crucial role in areas such as food security, new medicines and nature conservation.
We will learn about the indigenous Shipibo-Konibo in the Peruvian Amazon and their relationship with the medicinal plant piripiri (Cyperus spp.). The efforts of the Shipibo-Konibo to preserve and teach their language, medicinal plant knowledge and traditional crafts provides an inspiring example of biocultural diversity restoration.
Inge Kuijper
Inge Kuijper is an ethnobotanist and designer, fascinated by the relationship between people and plants. Taking a long pause from her career in digital design she left to travel in Latin America for 10 months. After this time of deep reflection and reconnection with the natural world she returned to university to pursue a MSc Ethnobotany at the University of Kent. Her thesis investigated the medicinal plant piripiri (Cyperus spp.) and their significance for the indigenous Shipibo-Konibo in the Peruvian Amazon. She has since been offering online courses, workshops and talks on ethnobotany. Her current research focus is the medicinal and spiritual plants of the Sakalava tribe in Madagascar. Inge lives in Forest Row, Sussex and you can follow her on her Green Unfolding website and social media.
