With thanks to Director Weilbacher and Totoa Fetalai-Currie, the SC/SS 115 Ethnobotany class enjoyed a excellent introduction to the unit on healing plants.
SC/SS 115 Ethnobotany assembles at the Pohnpei campus traditional medicinal plant garden
Totoa Fetalai-Currie explains the purpose of the garden
Toa explains the nature of traditional knowledge
Toa notes the importance of respect for both the knowledge and traditional healers
Toa's presentation was both fascinating and captivating. The class was privileged to have an experienced ethnobotanist introduce them to Pacific island healing plants. In follow-up discussions some students expressed a sense of awe at the power of the presentation.
Toa explains the uses of turmeric and aloe to the students
The field trip replaces what used to be an in-class lecture. The same basic material is now delivered more in the lecture manner of the Peripatetic school of Aristotle - while walking and pausing along the paths of a garden and using the plants as the examples. Toa speaks on the uses of tumeric and aloe as Kim, Bradmurray, Lerihna, and other students listen.