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fonio

Scientific Name: Digitaria exilis

Family: Poaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Graminoid

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Fonio: An Ancient Grain from West Africa

Fonio refers to two cultivated grains within the Digitaria genus, specifically Digitaria exilis and Digitaria iburua. These grains are significant crops in parts of West Africa, boasting a rich history and promising nutritional benefits.

Common Names

  • Fonio
  • White Fonio (Digitaria exilis)
  • Black Fonio (Digitaria iburua)
  • Hungry Rice
  • Hungry Millet
  • Hungry Koos
  • Fundi Millet
  • Petit Mil
  • Findo Findi
  • Acha
  • Fonyo
  • Fundenyo
  • Afio
  • Fini
  • Fundi
  • Ipoga
  • Found
  • Foni
  • Pende

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Genus: Digitaria
  • Species: Digitaria exilis (white fonio) and Digitaria iburua (black fonio)
  • Family: Poaceae (Grass family)

Distribution and Habitat

Fonio is native to West Africa and has been cultivated for thousands of years across the dry savannas of the region, including areas like Burkina Faso.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Grains are very small.
  • White fonio (Digitaria exilis) is an annual grass that can grow to a height of 80 cm.

Ecological Role

Fonio is well-adapted to the local conditions of West Africa, including dry and challenging agricultural zones, making it a sustainable crop in the face of climate variability.

Uses and Benefits

  • Fonio is a nutritious grain, considered by some to be among the most nutritious of all grains.
  • It is gluten-free, making it a suitable alternative to grains like quinoa, couscous, and amaranth.
  • Fonio is said to be beneficial for digestion, cardiovascular function, diabetes management, and weight loss, and may be especially beneficial for women.
  • It is easy to cook, comparable to steaming couscous.

Quirky Facts

  • In the cosmogony of Mali's Dogon people, fonio grain (known as "po") is considered the "germ of the world."

Further Information

  • Lost Crops of Africa: Grains. Edited by F. R. Ruskin.
  • Wikipedia: Fonio