Indigenous note - The Forgotten Oil Millet of Taiwan

 

Taro ball with 'oil millet' coating on 'South Asian' taro 南洋芋 leaf



(This entry is 'Note 22' of the main Anthropology page HERE)

'Formosan Beard Grass 台灣油芒' - 'Millet of the Future

'The Forgotten Oil Millet of Taiwan' was discovered by Dorian Fuller (UCL Institute of Archaeology) before a follow-up rediscovery in Pingtung by Academia Sinica researchers.

It is now known as 'Formosan Beard Grass 台灣油芒'. It grows all year round, and now promoted a good substitute for the traditional millet (foxtail), it was said.
 
'Lalumaj' is its Rukai name and 'Ljumay' Paiwan's. Austronesian linguistic connection was done by a research team led by Laurent Sagart.
 
I recently became acquainted with this forgotten and magical grain because of some creative dishes served by Bunan peoples in Taitung.
 
The best way to promote a grain /crop is to develop recipes, cook and serve.  Check it out when in Taitung.
 
Exhibition at 'National Taiwan University' showcase a variety of common 'Bunan beans' 布農豆豆 including those in glass bottles commonly used to make wine.
 
Tina 迪娜 (Bunan word for female elders) take it an important task keeping their hundred- year beans heritage passed on and long last.






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