Cultural Significance of Beetles in Sub-Saharan Africa

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The article explains how beetles are used, perceived, and experienced in daily life across sub-Saharan Africa. More than 300 people from 27 countries were interviewed. The results were compared with findings in the scientific literature. Many beetle species are eaten, both as adults and larvae. Young girls use water beetles to stimulate breast growth. Blister beetles contain a substance that is used as an aphrodisiac and for treating venereal disease. Throughout Africa children play with beetles by letting them fly at the end of a string. In the Sahel dung beetles are predominant, and there are stories relating to how hard they work to remove dung. The magical glowing fireflies are associated with ghosts and witches. Many beetle groups are brightly and attractively coloured, and are therefore used in ceremonies, as ornaments, and in commerce. However, urbanisation is resulting in the rapid disappearance of this type of indigenous knowledge. ABSTRACT: An overview is given of how beetles are utilised, perceived, and experienced in daily life across sub-Saharan Africa. More than 300 people from 27 countries were interviewed and the results were compared with literature findings. Both the adults and larvae of many beetle species are eaten, mainly from the families Curculionidae, Buprestidae, Cerambycidae, Dytiscidae and Scarabaeidae. Some beetle species are used for medicinal purposes. The use of breast-shaped water beetles by adolescent girls to stimulate breast growth could be due to superstition or the effect of the defensive secretion containing steroid hormones. Blister beetles contain cantharidin, which influences the urinary tract, and is therefore used as an aphrodisiac and for treating venereal disease. Throughout Africa children play with beetles by letting them fly on a string. In the Sahel, the hard work of dung beetles is an inspiration for stories. Fireflies are generally associated with ghosts and witches, likely because the glowing of the beetles is interpreted as magical. Many beetle groups are brightly and attractively coloured and are therefore used in ceremonies and commerce. This type of indigenous knowledge, revealed in stories provided by older people, is rapidly disappearing due to urbanisation.