| Mapulana (n = 37) | Vhavenda (n = 37) | Bolobedu (n = 29) | Shona (n = 3) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Origins and description of ethnic group | Mapulana are a sub-group of the northern Sotho | East African and Karanga (Zimbabwe) origins. Of eight Vhavenda sub-groups the Vhatavhatsindi, Vhambedzi and Vhangona eat stinkbugs | Karanga origins, settling first in Venda and finally at Ga-Modjadji. Bolobedu are the people of the Rain Queen and are also known as Balobedu or Lovedu | Karanga |
Common vernacular | SePulana | TshiVenda. | Lobedu | Shona |
Location | Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, South Africa | Thohoyandou and surrounding villages, Thulamela Local Municipality, South Africa | Ga-Modjadji, Greater Letaba Local Municipality, South Africa | Bikita, Zimbabwe |
Colonial era names | Mapulaneng | Venda | Duiwelskloof | Rhodesia |
First use of stinkbugs and origin of current use | Recorded in 1944 [17]; pensioners claim to have learnt from grandparents | ± 1930; pensioners claim to have learnt from grandparents | 1982; claim to have learnt from co-workers at Middlekop tea estate | Recorded in 1905 [13] |
Nomenclature | Tsonônô = he farts and is fat | Thungulifha, Dzhovhe, Mbilimedzi from vhilimedza = running after them, Dzama = to die, Fhela = they are scarce, Mbilimedzi khuluvhali = it is hot/very bitter/chillie flavour, Murotho = chemical secretion | Thongolifha, Podile = it is rotten, Morotho = chemical secretion | Harugwa, Harurwa = bitter caterpillar |
Collection bag used | A fruit bag with loose weave similar to shade cloth | A maize meal or fruit bag | A maize meal bag | |
Storage method | Live stinkbugs kept in fruit bag | Prepared stinkbugs displayed in open containers/spread on bags | ||
Shelf-life of stinkbugs | After two weeks captivity stinkbugs taste bitter [24] | After six months will taste stale/mouldy |