African Rice African Rice (Oryza glaberrima) Kris Darling May 4, 2007

Origins of African Rice Greek geographer and historian Strabo recorded rice planting in Libya Greek geographer and historian Strabo recorded rice planting in Libya 1855 German botanist Ernst Gottlieb Steudel named rice Oryza glaberrima because of its smooth hulls 1855 German botanist Ernst Gottlieb Steudel named rice Oryza glaberrima because of its smooth hulls 1914 French botanist August Chevalier advanced the hypothesis of an indigenous African rice 1914 French botanist August Chevalier advanced the hypothesis of an indigenous African rice 1970s the contention for a rice species of African origin universally accepted. 1970s the contention for a rice species of African origin universally accepted. The most recent archeological evidence has established the presence of O. glaberrima by A.D. 300, almost 2000 thousand years ago The most recent archeological evidence has established the presence of O. glaberrima by A.D. 300, almost 2000 thousand years ago

Evidence Linguistic evidence indicates the absence of borrowing words Linguistic evidence indicates the absence of borrowing words Botanical evidence - three centers of rice development Botanical evidence - three centers of rice development Comparison to Asian O. sativa rice Comparison to Asian O. sativa rice

Other Theories of Rice in Africa Portuguese introduced rice from Asia in the mid 15th century – denial of an indigenous African rice Portuguese introduced rice from Asia in the mid 15th century – denial of an indigenous African rice Asian rice was introduced to Africa with the expansion of Islam between the 8th and 14th centuries Asian rice was introduced to Africa with the expansion of Islam between the 8th and 14th centuries

African Rice Culture “Rice Coast” Flood-recession agriculture or tidal rice farming Flood-recession agriculture or tidal rice farming Inland swamps Inland swamps Mangrove rice Mangrove rice Atlantic slave trade and the disruption of African agricultural systems Atlantic slave trade and the disruption of African agricultural systems

Rice and Gender Gendered division of labor Gendered division of labor Women were responsible for sowing the seeds, transplanting the seedlings, weeding, and harvesting Women were responsible for sowing the seeds, transplanting the seedlings, weeding, and harvesting Only Women are involved in the processing, preparation, and cooking of rice Only Women are involved in the processing, preparation, and cooking of rice

Proliferation of African Rice Cereals sold to expedition ships Cereals sold to expedition ships Purchase of rice for slaves Purchase of rice for slaves Latin America Latin America North America North America

African Knowledge Systems in South Carolina Only salves in South Carolina were familiar with the cultivation of rice in wetland environments and its milling Only salves in South Carolina were familiar with the cultivation of rice in wetland environments and its milling Milling – mortar and pestle Milling – mortar and pestle Inland swamps – water control Inland swamps – water control Tidal floodplains – preparation and water management system resemble mangrove rice Tidal floodplains – preparation and water management system resemble mangrove rice

History, Racism, and the Denial of African Rice Distortion of African history Distortion of African history Delayed interested in African plants Delayed interested in African plants Emphasis on seed transfers Emphasis on seed transfers Racist ideas Racist ideas Rejection of Rejection of an indigenous African rice species an indigenous African rice species African domestication of rice African domestication of rice Indigenous African knowledge systems Indigenous African knowledge systems African origins of rice culture in North America and contributions of Africans in American history African origins of rice culture in North America and contributions of Africans in American history