This study examines the harvesting and the food culture of edible shipworms (Bactronophorus thoracites), locally known as tamiluk [plural form], which bore deeply into wood found in mangrove forests in the Philippines. Tamiluk are coveted food items and are harvested by people living near mangrove forests. Although the value of tamiluk as a commodity is not significant, it continues to be valued by local residents. It is also popular as a fingerfood, enjoyed with liquor, and often mentioned in songs sung by carousers. Tamiluk are also believed to be nutritious and are used in folk medicine, especially recommended for pregnant women. Tamiluk harvested from the different species of perforated trees are associated with distinct flavors. This study focuses on the intimate relationship between tamiluk and the people who harvest them in the mangrove forests of the Philippines, as well as highlights its value as a culturalecological indicator of the overall health of both the mangrove environment and the lives of the residents.
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