Rats: if you can’t beat them eat them! (Tricks of the trade observed among the Adi and other North-East Indian tribals)

• DOI: 10.1186/s13002-015-0034-2
• Publication Date: 2015-05-29T17:05:33Z
• Authors: Victor Benno Meye...; Karsing Megu; Jharna Chakravorty
• Keywords: North east; Tribe

Since outside the tribal areas of North-East India it is not widely known, neither in world nor itself, that rats are considered a delicious food item, this was one several reasons why we decided to present ethnographic account rat procurement and preparation (together with some additional comments on cultural role have especially amongst members Adi tribe). Consumption by humans as biological control method far superior use rodenticide poisoning consumption way reduce hunting pressure rare wild animals were further considerations publish account. Semi-structured interviews conducted male female eight communities Arunachal Pradesh (North-East India) uses objects. The construction traps well dishes observed recorded photographically. Numerous species small rodents, collectively called "rats" locals Indian tribes comprising Rattus rattus Linnaeus, R. nitidus Hodgson, burrus Miller, tanezumi Temminck Bandicota bengalensis Gray Hardwicke, B. indica Bechstein, Mus musculus regularly trapped consumed roasted, cooked or smoked form. In well-illustrated report kinds devices used catch these described information provided how prepare for human consumption. gift-exchange items play context local culture explained locals' most highly appreciated meat dish, known bule-bulak oying consisting boiled rat's tail, legs inner organs, introduced. Given need meet world's future demands environmental consequences an expanding livestock production regard global warming, water availability, deforestation, soil erosion etc., our example shows, should be overlooked. Using reduces pressures other often already animals. It populations than rodents artisanal menfolk helps maintaining traditional skills knowledge.