The Ethnobotany of Abui’s Home Gardens and its Potentiality to Support Rural Tourism Development in Alor, Indonesia

Abstract

The aim of the research is to explore the value of homegardens at Abui community in Takpala Village, Alor Island, as a basis of rural tourism development. The value of home gardens was assessed in the perspective of local people’s culture. Therefore, ethnobotanical assessment with Index of Cultural Significance (ICS) was implemented. Data was collected through field observation and interviews to local community. Survey was done in 15 houses in Takpala settlements by identifying plant species in homegardens area. Interviews were performed to generate information regarding flora benefits in the daily life of local people in Takpala. Result of the study shows that homegarden has an important role among Abui community, especially in cultivating numerous plant species for daily life. Homegarden has its potentiality to be introduced as part of the tourism development attraction in Takpala Village