Dried dung has served as fuel in treeless, arid, pastoral, and high-altitude regions around the world.
Different animals
Cattle, yak, camel, sheep, and other livestock produce materials with distinct handling traditions.
Avoid false equivalence
Local practices have different cultural, ecological, and economic contexts.
Frequently asked questions
What does bodewash mean?
Dried buffalo or cow dung used as fuel.
Is it the same as buffalo chips?
The terms can overlap, though buffalo chips is more familiar.
Where did the word come from?
It developed from American French bois de vache.
Why did people burn dung?
Because wood was scarce or costly to transport.
Did only settlers use it?
No. Indigenous and pastoral communities had longstanding fuel knowledge.
Is indoor burning safe?
Solid-fuel smoke can harm health; this site documents history rather than recommending use.