Talk:Mautam

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"Bamboo strain" isn't very good: the species of bamboo involved is essential to know. The "bamboo death" (isn't that the literal translation of mau tam, rather than "flowering"?) needs to be explained: after flowering, bamboo dies, culm and running root and all, and regenerates from seed, which is overwhelmingly available and eaten by rodents, thus triggering the ensuing population boom of rodents. The seeds of any culm of bamboo that might flower off-cycle are all eaten up by rodents, thus reinforcing the rhythm of this extreme version of a mast year: think squirrels-and-acorns. --Wetman 00:04, 4 June 2006 (UTC)

Contents

[edit] INBAR

Found some good photos and descriptions at the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR).

"Mass flowering attracts the most attention, such as that of Bashania fangiana in the 1980s that affected the Giant panda, and the regular, once-every-48-year, flowering of Melocanna baccifera in Northeast India that brings famine and environmental degradation." [1].

"In NE India and Bangladesh Melocanna baccifera and Bambusa tulda both have lifecycles of 48 years. These two species do not flower together at the same time: B. tulda flowers 18 years after M. baccifera. The famines caused by the flowering of M. baccifera are known as the "Mautam" famines. These occurred in Mizoram in 1815, 1863, 1911 and 1959. The flowering of Bambusa tulda causes the "Thingtam" famine, and these occurred in 1785, 1833, 1881, 1929 and 1977. Mautam famines are more severe because the fruits of M. baccifera are much larger and can support larger populations of rats" [2]. --Northanger 05:01, 4 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Rat species

Anyone know the species of rat species involved? Is it a bandicoot rat? Here's a list of what I think the main suspects are:

Bandicota indica, Bandicota bengalensis, and Rattus rattus

Other rattish creatures in Mizoram would include:

Rattus exulans, Rattus nitidus, Berylmys manipulus, Berylmys mackenziei, Niviventer langbianis, and Vandeleuria oleracea.

Anyone actually know? --Aranae 22:40, 4 June 2006 (UTC)

There are pictures here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/5044436.stm
Looks like a bandicoot rat to my untrained eyes. 70.49.98.177 01:24, 5 June 2006 (UTC)

The article states "...the Melocanna baccifera species of bamboo in the state flowers, which is inexplicably and invariably followed by a subsequent plague of giant bandicoot rats...", and then goes on to explain the increase in rat population. I will remove the word inexplicably.

[edit] Pictures

Can anyone find pictures of the bamboo flowering? This article could use a picture, and massive bamboo flowering (despite the problems it causes) probably look cool. Aaronstj 20:06, 5 June 2006 (UTC)

I've uploaded a flowering bamboo shoot. By the way, I've added a number of references (in English) in the Tamil Wiki article on the same subject. Use them here, if you want. By the way, can someone find free pictures or request the authorities to release the pictures here? -- Sundar \talk \contribs 09:49, 26 June 2006 (UTC)


[edit] Pronunciation?

Is it Mow Tan (like "cow") or Maw Tan (like "raw"?) --Wetman 20:47, 14 September 2006 (UTC)

I'm not certain, but I think in Mizo, "au" has a "awa" sound, though it's a fairly weak "w". That would make it "mawatam". Can anybody from Mizoram help us out? --Aranae 03:05, 15 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Questions

I was taking a wikibreak and came across this article in my travels (the random article button is a lot of fun!).

After reading this article, I have some important questions. I also have some concerns that I feel can only be addressed by someone knowledgable on the topic. I don't want to muddy up a perfectly harmonious talk page with any statements that could lead to argument or personal attacks, such as what happens on some other talk pages - particularly if my questions and concerns are unfounded.

Perhaps someone could leave me a message on my talk page - or better yet, e-mail me. I don't know who the author of this page is - to hear from that editor would be ideal, as they would seem most knowledgable on the subject.

I realize that my previous statement was provocative, so a swift clearing up of this matter is in order, and I can perhaps likewise put any concerns someone might have about this to rest.

Sincerely, NinaEliza 22:43, 25 November 2006 (UTC)