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Black Mycologists Unearth Fungi's Hidden Histories
16 May
Summary
- Maria Pinto's book explores African diaspora's connection to fungi.
- Citizen scientists are vital in the understudied field of mycology.
- Fungi play essential ecological roles and hold diasporic historical significance.
Maria Pinto's recent book, "Fearless, Sleepless, Deathless," delves into the African diaspora's rich relationship with mycology, the study of fungi. Pinto highlights how Black individuals like herself, Elan Hagens, and William Padilla-Brown are contributing to the understanding of fungi, a kingdom not recognized until 1969. These enthusiasts find connection, nourishment, and a deeper tie to the land through exploring mushrooms.
Fungi are vital to ecology as decomposers and nutrient providers for plants. Historically, an underground fungus sustained Africans escaping enslavement, a practice echoed in traditional Chinese medicine. Pinto's research uncovers figures like Thelma Perry and George Washington Carver, who made significant mycological contributions.
Elan Hagens uses trained dogs to find truffles and now hosts workshops on mushroom cultivation. William Padilla-Brown founded MycoFest to educate the public about ecology and fungi. He also cultivates fungi through his company, MycoSymbiotics, and received a USDA grant for truffle cultivation research.
These Black mycologists are fostering community and a sense of self through their shared passion. Pinto notes how terms like "junjo" and "djon djon" in Caribbean dialects point to long-standing mushroom foraging traditions, connecting them to ancestral knowledge and the land.
