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Folk taxonomy of wild mushrooms in communities of the indigenous groups Chatino, Chontal, and Chinantec in Oaxaca, Mexico

Summary

Indigenous communities in Mexico have developed sophisticated systems for naming and classifying wild mushrooms based on where they grow, what they look like, and cultural beliefs. This study documents how the Chatino, Chontal, and Chinantec peoples of Oaxaca name 32 different mushroom species using their own languages. Older community members know more indigenous mushroom names than younger people, showing that this traditional knowledge is gradually being replaced by Spanish terms. Understanding these traditional naming systems helps preserve cultural heritage and ensures communities can safely identify which mushrooms are safe to eat.

Background

Traditional names of wild mushrooms serve as crucial links between these organisms and indigenous communities in Mexico. The Chatino, Chontal, and Chinantec groups have developed effective folk taxonomy systems for classifying and naming mushrooms, enabling sustainable use of fungal resources and transmission of ancestral knowledge.

Objective

This study explores the folk taxonomy of wild mushrooms in three indigenous communities of Oaxaca, Mexico, assessing the origins and meanings of mushroom names, their cultural connections, and similarities in folk taxonomy among the Chatino, Chontal, and Chinantec groups.

Results

A total of 43 indigenous names were recorded for 32 mushroom species. Chatinos use 22 indigenous names (generic term ‘Kía’), Chontals use 15 names (‘Jlapilí’), and Chinantecs use 6 names (‘Naẗ’). Indigenous names combine generic terms with specific suffixes based on ecological, morphological, and cultural factors. Age positively correlates with indigenous name use; women use more Spanish names than men.

Conclusion

The studied communities have developed comprehensive folk taxonomy systems that effectively utilize fungal resources and ensure intergenerational transmission of traditional knowledge. The variety of names reflects the cultural significance of wild mushrooms and demonstrates universal patterns in folk taxonomy across different cultural groups.
  • Published in:Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine,
  • Study Type:Ethnomycological Survey,
  • Source: PMID: 40312355, DOI: 10.1186/s13002-025-00779-z
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