Ewé Module — Sacred Plant Knowledge
Ritual use governance over botanical data
Domain module. Vocabulary for documenting sacred plant knowledge in Afro-Atlantic traditions. Provides ritual use governance over Darwin Core botanical data. Focus on medicinal and ritual applications, harvest protocols, preparation methods, and access control for operational knowledge. Use with iroko-epistemic to model harvest and preparation constraints; with iroko-travay for ceremony context in which plants are deployed.
Physical plant specimen preserved for documentation. Links botanical voucher to plant record and archival photograph.
Sacred plant entity in Afro-Atlantic traditions. Corresponds to dwc:Occurrence in Darwin Core for botanical description. This class adds ritual, medicinal, and access governance dimensions.
A prepared spiritual material combining specific plants with defined quantities and methods. Example: Omiero for Obatala (bath with 21 leaves of Akoko, Prodigiosa, Albahaca blanca).
| Property | Type | Domain → Range | Access | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| collisionNotes collision notes |
Datatype | Plant → string | Community Only | Explanation of name collision: which plants share the name, how to distinguish, regional variations. |
| contraindication contraindication |
Datatype | Plant → string | Public | Safety warnings: allergic reactions, pregnancy contraindications, toxic if ingested, etc. Access: public-unrestricted. |
| entityAssociation entity association |
Object | Plant → — | Public | Spiritual entity (orisa, lwa, mpungu) associated with this plant. Links to Nkisi module. Access: public-unrestricted. |
| harvestProtocol harvest protocol |
Object | Plant → Concept | Community Only | Method of harvesting: ritual vs. commercial, timing, offerings required. Values: iroko:harvest-ritual-offering-required, iroko:harvest-wildcrafted, iroko:harvest-cultivated, etc. Access: community-only. |
| harvestProtocolDetailed harvest protocol (detailed) |
Datatype | Plant → string | Community Only | Detailed harvest instructions: exact timing (dawn, dusk), direction (face east), quantities (3, 7, 9, 21), offerings required. Access: community-only. |
| medicinalUse medicinal use |
Object | Plant → Concept | Public | Medicinal or healing application of this plant. Values from controlled vocabulary: iroko:medicinal-fever-reduction, iroko:medicinal-digestive-support, iroko:medicinal-wound-healing, etc. Access: public-unrestricted. |
| nameCollision name collision |
Datatype | Plant → boolean | Community Only | Boolean indicating if the same vernacular name refers to multiple distinct species. Example: Prodigiosa can refer to different plants in different regions. |
| photographicVoucher photographic voucher |
Object | Plant → DocumentaryEvidence | Public | Link to photographic documentation of this plant specimen. Consider using dwc:associatedMedia for interoperability with herbarium systems. |
| plantPart plant part |
Object | Plant → Concept | Public | Which part of the plant is used. Values: iroko:part-leaf, iroko:part-root, iroko:part-bark, iroko:part-seed, iroko:part-flower, etc. Access: public-unrestricted. |
| preparationMethod preparation method |
Object | Plant → Concept | Community Only | General preparation method. Values: iroko:prep-infusion, iroko:prep-decoction, iroko:prep-bath, iroko:prep-fumigation, iroko:prep-poultice, etc. Access: community-only. |
| preparationMethodDetailed preparation method (detailed) |
Datatype | Plant → string | Initiated Only | Exact preparation instructions including timing, quantities, and critical steps. Access: initiated-only. |
| processReference process reference |
Object | Plant → — | Community Only | Ritual process where this plant is used. Links to Travay module. Example: used in rogacion (head cooling ceremony). Access: community-only. |
| ritualContext ritual context |
Datatype | Plant → string | Community Only | Textual description of ceremonial use context. When and how the plant is used ritually. Access: community-only or higher. |
| ritualUse ritual use |
Object | Plant → Concept | Public | Ceremonial or spiritual application of this plant. Values: iroko:ritual-purification-cleansing, iroko:ritual-protection-boundary, iroko:ritual-invocation-communication, etc. Access: public-unrestricted. |
| signReference sign reference |
Object | Plant → — | Initiated Only | Divination sign that prescribes this plant. Links to Marca module. Example: Ogbe Meji prescribes Akoko for purification. Access: initiated-only. |
| specimenNumber specimen number |
Datatype | Herbarium Sheet → string | Public | Herbarium catalog number or specimen identifier. Consider using dwc:catalogNumber on HerbariumSheet instances for interoperability. |
Methods and requirements for harvesting plants.
Purchased from commercial sources or markets.
Grown intentionally in gardens or farms.
Must be harvested during a specific moon phase.
Offering (water, coins, tobacco) must be left at plant base.
Must be harvested by a practitioner with specific initiation.
Must be harvested at dawn, dusk, midnight, etc.
Requires ritual protocol and offering to plant spirit before harvesting.
Harvested from wild without specific ritual protocol.
Controlled vocabulary of medicinal and healing applications.
Reduces inflammation and swelling.
Supports digestive system, relieves stomach issues.
Reduces fever, antipyretic properties.
Overall health tonic, vitality support.
Postpartum recovery and maternal health.
Analgesic properties, relieves pain.
Safe for children, pediatric applications.
Supports reproductive health and fertility.
Supports respiratory system, cough relief, asthma.
Applied to skin for rashes, irritation, wounds.
Addresses spiritual and emotional dimensions of illness.
Promotes wound healing, tissue repair.
Which part of the plant is used.
part-bark
part-bulb
part-flower
part-fruit
part-leaf
part-pollen
part-resin
part-root
part-sap
part-seed
part-stem
part-whole-plant
Methods for preparing plant materials.
Prepared as spiritual bath for immersion or washing.
Boiled to extract properties from harder plant parts.
Dried and bundled for hanging or storage.
Burned as incense or smoke for cleansing.
Used ritually with words or prayers but not physically prepared.
Steeped in hot water like tea.
Consumed internally as tea, tonic, or food.
Soaked in cold water or oil for an extended period.
Applied topically as paste or compress.
Dried and ground into powder.
Extracted in alcohol or spirits.
Applied directly to skin or affected area.
Prepared as liquid wash for ritual bathing or anointing.
Controlled vocabulary of ceremonial and spiritual applications.
Honors ancestors, facilitates ancestral connection.
Consecrates objects, spaces, and persons.
Represents cosmological principles and symbolic meaning.
Funeral ceremonies and death transitions.
Enhances divinatory abilities and spiritual sight.
Binds, controls, or dominates situations or people.
Spiritual healing, restoration of balance.
Blesses homes, workplaces, and sacred spaces.
Facilitates communication with spirits and invocation.
Legal matters, court cases, justice.
Attracts love and enhances relationships.
Offered to spirits as devotion or tribute.
Attracts wealth, prosperity, and abundance.
Creates protective boundaries, shields from harm.
Spiritual cleansing, removal of negative influences.
Used in initiation, birth, death, and marriage ceremonies.
Opens paths, removes obstacles, facilitates opportunities.