‘A Starving Man Does Not Sniff His Food’: Ukrainian Famine Plants during the Holodomor,1932–1933

Abstract

The Holodomor (1932–1933) was a politically driven, genocidal famine that killed millions through starvation and disease, as well as disrupting Ukrainian society and agriculture. Through the analysis of various archival sources, particularly survivor narratives, we obtained information about 72 plants used as famine foods, foods not customarily eaten and plants eaten in unusual quantities or ways during the Holodomor. A total of at least 114 parts of these 72 plants were eaten as alternative foods. Residual parts of crops represented many of these famine foods. A large range of native plants were also consumed. The inventory of Ukrainian famine foods is broadly similar to those from other major global famines.