The Ethnobotanical knowledge of the Barbaig community of Balangidalalu village in Manyara region, Tanzania

An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in Balangidalalu village in Hanang district, Manyara Region to document the indigenous knowledge on the use of plants.Social survey methods mainly semistructured questionnaire and participant observation were used to collect information. A total of 57 plant species were identified and documented, out of which; 28 are used for human medicine, 12 for livestock medicine, 15 for food, 10 for cosmetics and decoration, 15 for cultural aspects and 9 for handicrafts. The study revealed that some species have various myths and taboos attached to them, which do help to protect them from destruction. There is a need to conserve the documented resources to retain the valuable indigenous knowledge attached to them for future generations. Keywords : Ethnobotany-Barbaig tribe- Manyara region- Tanzania