| Peer-Reviewed

The Role of Traditional Taboos and Custom as Complementary Tools in Wildlife Conservation Within Mount Cameroon National Park Buea

Received: 29 April 2017    Accepted: 8 May 2017    Published: 7 June 2017
Views:       Downloads:
Abstract

This study was carried out to examine the use of traditional taboos and custom in wildlife conservation in the Mount Cameroon National Park. A purposive sampling technique was used in selecting 13 villages from the 41 villages surrounding the park. A total number of 130 respondents were randomly selected for the study and data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. From the results, majorities (76.67%) of the respondents were male and, fall within the age range of 50–59 years (62.5%), attained secondary education and 80.83% were Christians. As the results reveal, a good percentage of the respondents were conversant with cultural practices and its impact in wild animal conservation as 70.83% and 20.83% of the respondents strongly agree and agree respectively that cultural practices are used for conserving wildlife species. Religion, migration and westernization were found to be responsible for the decline of cultural practices in wildlife conservation within the study area. One animal, the African forest elephant is reverenced as a deity throughout the study area, although there were taboos forbidding indigenes/residents from killing or eating some particular wildlife species (Chimpanzee, Western bush pig, African python, Preuss monkey, Blue duiker, Drill, African civet, African wild dog, Black kite, White-face owl and snail spp). Illegal communal hunting is still practiced in the area. It is recommended that new and holistic wildlife conservation policies that will blend traditional systems of regulation, myths, rituals, and perceptions with existing wildlife legislation in the country be implemented to enhance conservation in this area.

Published in International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (Volume 2, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20170203.13
Page(s) 60-68
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Role, Traditional Taboos, Tools, Wildlife Conservation, Mount Cameroon National Park, Buea

References
[1] Abayie-Boaten, A. 1998. Traditional conservation practices: Ghana’s example. In: DS Amlalo, LD Atsiatorme, Fiati (Eds.): Biodiversity Conservation: Traditional Knowledge and Modern Concepts. Paper presented at the Third UNESCOMAB Regional Seminar on Biosphere Reserves for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development in Francophone Africa (BRAAF), Cape Coast, 9 -12 March, 1998.
[2] Akindele, S. O. 2010. Forest Restoration through Traditional Institutions in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects. From (Retrieved August 27, 2011).
[3] Anoliefo, G. O., Isikhuemhen, O. S. and Ochije, N. R. 2003. Environmental implications of the erosion of cultural taboo practices in Awka-South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics, 16: 281-296.
[4] Augustine Ngoni Monono • William Oduro • Paul Sarfo-Mensah •Celestin Nana 2016. The Role of Bakweri Traditional Beliefs in the Management of Mount Cameroon National Park.
[5] Banjo, A. D., Otufale, G. A., Abatan, O. L. and Banjo, E. A. 2006. Taboo as a means of plant and animal conservation in South-Western Nigeria: A case study of Ogbe River and its Basin. World Applied Sc, 1: 39-43.
[6] Bassey, A. E., and Kanung, R. 1996a. A brief look at conservation ethic within the culture of people of Okwango. In: E. Obot, J. Barker (Eds.): Essential Partnership-The Forest and the People Paper presented at the Workshop on Rain Forest of South - Eastern Nigeria and South Western Cameroon held at Obudu Cattle Ranch and 21 Resort, Obanliku Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria on 20th -24th October 1996.
[7] Bassey, A. E. and Kanung, R. 1996b. The history and cultural background of Busi people. In: E Obot, J Barker (Eds.): Essential Partnership- the Forest and the People. Paper presented at the Workshop on Rain Forest of South -Eastern Nigeria and South Western Cameroon held at Obudu Cattle Ranch and Resort, Obanliku Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria on 20th -24th October 1996.
[8] Becker, C. D. And Ghimire, K. 2003. Synergy between traditional ecological knowledge and conservation science supports forest preservation in Ecuador. 8 (1): 1.
[9] Beckes CD, Ghimire K 2003. Synergy between Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Conservation Science Supports Forest Preservation in Ecuador. Conserv Ecol, 8: 1. From (Retrieved 21 October 2010).
[10] Berkes, F., Colding, J. and Folke, C. 2000. Rediscovery of traditional ecological knowledge as adaptive management. 10 (5): 1251 – 1262.
[11] Berkes, F. 2003. Rethinking community-based conservation. 18 (3): 621 – 630.
[12] Caldecott, J., L. Mills, and C. Nelleman. 2005. Challenges to great ape survival. Pages 217 – 234 in J. Caldecott, and L. Mills, editors. World atlas of great apes and their conservation. University of California Press, Los Angeles, California, USA.
[13] Colding, J. and Folke, C. 2001. Social Taboos: ‘Invisible’ systems of local resource management and biological conservation. 11: 584 – 600. Eneji, C. V. O., Ntamu, G. U., Ben, C. B., Bassey, T. E. and Williams, J. J. 2012. “Ethical Basis of African traditional religion and socio-cultural practice in Cross River State Nigeria. Journal of research in peace, gender and development, 2 (2): 034-042.
[14] Etiendem, D. N., Hens, L. and Pereboom, Z. 2011. Traditional knowledge systems and the conservation of Cross River gorillas: a case study of Bechati, Fossimondi, Besali, Cameroon. Ecology and Society 16 (3) 22.
[15] Gadgil, M., Berkes, F. and Folke, C. 1993. Indigenous knowledge for biodiversity conservation. Ambio 22: 151 – 156.
[16] Hens, L. 2006. Indigenous knowledge and biodiversity conservation and management in Ghana. Journal of Human Ecology, 20 (1): 21-30.
[17] Hulme, D. and Murphree, M. 1999. Communities, wildlife and the ‘new conservation’ in Africa Journal of International Development, 11: 11-285.
[18] Horowitz, L. S. 1998. Integrating indigenous resource management with wildlife conservation: A case study of Batang Ai National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia. Human Ecology, 26: 371-403.
[19] Infield, M. and Adams, W. M. 1999. Institutional sustainability and community conservation: A case study from Uganda. Journal of International Development, 11: 305-315.
[20] Infield, M. 2002. Cultural values: A forgotten strategy for building community support for protected areas in Africa. Conservation Biology, 15: 800-802.
[21] Jimoh, S. O., Ikyaagba, E. T., Alarape, A. A., Obioha, E. E. and Adeyemi, A. A. 2012. The Role of Traditional Laws and Taboos in Wildlife Conservation in the Oban Hill Sector of Cross River National Park (CRNP), Nigeria. Journal of Human Ecology, 39 (3): 209-219.
[22] Jones, J. G., Andriamarovololona, M. M. and Hockley, N. 2008. The importance of taboos and social norms to conservation in Madagascar. Conservation Biology, 22: 976-986.
[23] International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2010. IUCN red list of threatened species. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. Kideghesho, J. R. 2008. Co-existence between the traditional societies and wildlife in Western Serengeti, Tanzania: Its relevance in contemporary wildlife conservation efforts. Biodiversity Conservation, 17: 1861-1881.
[24] Kassilly, F. N. and Tsingalia, H. M. 2009. Persistence and loss of cultural values of Tiriki Sacred Groves in Hamisi District, Kenya: Implications for management (RH: Cultural Values of Tiriki Sacred Groves). J Hum Ecol, 27: 137-141.
[25] Kobina ED, Kofi AA 2009. Change and Continuity: Using Indigenous Knowledge to Achieve Environmental Sustainability in Ghana. Paper presented at the 7th International Science Conference on the Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change held in Germany, Bonn, on 26th-30th April, 2009 on the Theme. The Social Challenges of Global Change. From (Retrieved, May 7 2017). Kweka, D. 2004. The Role of Local Knowledge and Institutions in the Conservation of Forest Resources in the East Usambara. Submitted to: UNESCO-Man and Biosphere (MAB) Young Scientist Programme.
[26] Lingard, M., Raharison, N., Rabakonandrianina, E., Rakotoarisoa, J. and Elmqvist, T. 2003. The role of local taboos in conservation and management of species: The radiated tortoise in Southern Madagascar: Conservation and Society, 1: 223-246.
[27] MINFOF and WWF 2014: The management plan of the Mount Cameroon National Park and its peripheral zone 2015-2019 E2326 V3.
[28] Moller, H., Berkes, F., Lyver, P. O. and Kislalioglu, M. 2004. Combining Science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Monitoring Populations for Co-management. Ecol Soc 9 (3).
[29] Mwihomeke, S. T., Msangi, T. H., Mabula, C. K., Ylhäisi, J. and Mndeme, K. C. H. 1998. Traditionally protected forests and nature conservation in the North Pare Mountains and Handeni District, Tanzania. J East Afr Nat Hist, 87: 279-290.
[30] Negi, C. S. 2010. The institution of taboo and the local resource management and conservation surrounding sacred natural sites in Uttarakhand, Central Himalaya. International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 2: 186-195.
[31] Nganje, M. 2009. Harnessing Traditional Ecological Knowledge for the Conservation of Forests and biodiversity. XIII World Forestry Congress, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 18- 23 October 2009.
[32] Nkenze Mbonwoh 2010. Cameroon Buea - Mount Cameroon National Park Launched Copyright © 2010 Cameroon Tribune, cited in All Africa Media (retrieved May 7, 2017).
[33] Nvenakeng Suzanne Awung and Rob Marchant 2016. Investigating the Role of the Local Community as Co-Managers of the Mount Cameroon National Park Conservation Project.Academic Editors: Yu-Pin Lin, Dirk S. Schmeller, Wei-Cheng Lo and Wan-Yu Lien
[34] Nyhus, P. J., Sumianto, and Tilson, R. 2003. Wildlife knowledge among migrants in southern Sumatra, Indonesia: implications for conservation. Environmental Conservation 30: 192 – 199.
[35] Oates, J., Bergl, R. and Linder, J. 2004. Africa’s Gulf of Guinea forests: biodiversity patterns and conservation Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment. 10 (2): 11-17.
[36] Obasohan, E. E. 2008. Fisheries biodiversity: The role of a traditional taboo/ritual prohibition in the management and conservation of the fish resources of Ibiekuma Stream in Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. Bioscience Research Communications, 20: 257- 264.
[37] Ormsby, A. and Edelman, C. 2010. Community-Based Ecotourism at Tafi Atome Monkey Sanctuary, a Sacred Natural Site in Ghana. in Verschuuren, B. et al. (eds.) Sacred Natural Sites: Conserving Nature and Culture. London: Earth scan pp. 233-243.
[38] Peterson, M. N., Peterson, M. J., Peterson, T. R and Liu, J. 2007. A household perspective for biodiversity conservation. Journal of Wildlife Management, 1243-1248.
[39] Rabearivony, J., Fanameha I, E., Mampiandra, J. and Thorstrom, R. 2008. Taboos and social contracts: Tools for ecosystem management - lessons from the Manambolomaty Lakes RAMSAR site, western Madagascar. Madagascar Conservation and Development, 3: 7-16.
[40] Saj, T. L., Mather, C. and Sicotte, P. 2006. Traditional taboos in biological conservation: The case of Colobus vellerosus at the Boabeng-Fiema Monkey Sanctuary, Central Ghana. Soc Sci Inform, 45: 285-310.
[41] Sarfo-Mensah, P. and Oduro, W. 2007. Traditional Natural Resources Management Practices and Biodiversity Conservation in Ghana: A Review of Local Concepts and Issues on Change and Sustainability.
[42] Schachenmann, P. 2006. Spiritual values in Madagascar: The starting point for endogenous conservation initiatives. Mountain Research and Development, 26: 323-327.
[43] Tah Eric (2012) My Road To Democracy cited in The great apes organization Cameroon, LAGA wildlife law enforcement (retrieved May 7, 2017).
[44] Tako, C. 1999:. Local forest resource management systems (LFRMS) understanding, mobilization and monitoring. Sustainable wildlife management: West Coast area of Mount Cameroon.
[45] Tengo, M., Johansson, K., Rakotondrasoa, F., Lundberg, J. and Andriamaherilala, J. A. 2007. Taboos and forest governance: Informal protection of hot spot dry forest in Southern Madagascar. Ambio, 36 (8): 683-691.
[46] P. Sarfo-Mensah and W. Oduro 2007: Traditional Natural Resources Management Practices and Biodiversity Conservation in Ghana: A Review of Local Concepts and Issues on Change and Sustainability.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Ajonina S. Abugiche, Terence O. Egute, Atud Cybelle. (2017). The Role of Traditional Taboos and Custom as Complementary Tools in Wildlife Conservation Within Mount Cameroon National Park Buea. International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, 2(3), 60-68. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20170203.13

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Ajonina S. Abugiche; Terence O. Egute; Atud Cybelle. The Role of Traditional Taboos and Custom as Complementary Tools in Wildlife Conservation Within Mount Cameroon National Park Buea. Int. J. Nat. Resour. Ecol. Manag. 2017, 2(3), 60-68. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20170203.13

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Ajonina S. Abugiche, Terence O. Egute, Atud Cybelle. The Role of Traditional Taboos and Custom as Complementary Tools in Wildlife Conservation Within Mount Cameroon National Park Buea. Int J Nat Resour Ecol Manag. 2017;2(3):60-68. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20170203.13

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ijnrem.20170203.13,
      author = {Ajonina S. Abugiche and Terence O. Egute and Atud Cybelle},
      title = {The Role of Traditional Taboos and Custom as Complementary Tools in Wildlife Conservation Within Mount Cameroon National Park Buea},
      journal = {International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management},
      volume = {2},
      number = {3},
      pages = {60-68},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijnrem.20170203.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20170203.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnrem.20170203.13},
      abstract = {This study was carried out to examine the use of traditional taboos and custom in wildlife conservation in the Mount Cameroon National Park. A purposive sampling technique was used in selecting 13 villages from the 41 villages surrounding the park. A total number of 130 respondents were randomly selected for the study and data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. From the results, majorities (76.67%) of the respondents were male and, fall within the age range of 50–59 years (62.5%), attained secondary education and 80.83% were Christians. As the results reveal, a good percentage of the respondents were conversant with cultural practices and its impact in wild animal conservation as 70.83% and 20.83% of the respondents strongly agree and agree respectively that cultural practices are used for conserving wildlife species. Religion, migration and westernization were found to be responsible for the decline of cultural practices in wildlife conservation within the study area. One animal, the African forest elephant is reverenced as a deity throughout the study area, although there were taboos forbidding indigenes/residents from killing or eating some particular wildlife species (Chimpanzee, Western bush pig, African python, Preuss monkey, Blue duiker, Drill, African civet, African wild dog, Black kite, White-face owl and snail spp). Illegal communal hunting is still practiced in the area. It is recommended that new and holistic wildlife conservation policies that will blend traditional systems of regulation, myths, rituals, and perceptions with existing wildlife legislation in the country be implemented to enhance conservation in this area.},
     year = {2017}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - The Role of Traditional Taboos and Custom as Complementary Tools in Wildlife Conservation Within Mount Cameroon National Park Buea
    AU  - Ajonina S. Abugiche
    AU  - Terence O. Egute
    AU  - Atud Cybelle
    Y1  - 2017/06/07
    PY  - 2017
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20170203.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20170203.13
    T2  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
    JF  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
    JO  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
    SP  - 60
    EP  - 68
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2575-3061
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20170203.13
    AB  - This study was carried out to examine the use of traditional taboos and custom in wildlife conservation in the Mount Cameroon National Park. A purposive sampling technique was used in selecting 13 villages from the 41 villages surrounding the park. A total number of 130 respondents were randomly selected for the study and data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics. From the results, majorities (76.67%) of the respondents were male and, fall within the age range of 50–59 years (62.5%), attained secondary education and 80.83% were Christians. As the results reveal, a good percentage of the respondents were conversant with cultural practices and its impact in wild animal conservation as 70.83% and 20.83% of the respondents strongly agree and agree respectively that cultural practices are used for conserving wildlife species. Religion, migration and westernization were found to be responsible for the decline of cultural practices in wildlife conservation within the study area. One animal, the African forest elephant is reverenced as a deity throughout the study area, although there were taboos forbidding indigenes/residents from killing or eating some particular wildlife species (Chimpanzee, Western bush pig, African python, Preuss monkey, Blue duiker, Drill, African civet, African wild dog, Black kite, White-face owl and snail spp). Illegal communal hunting is still practiced in the area. It is recommended that new and holistic wildlife conservation policies that will blend traditional systems of regulation, myths, rituals, and perceptions with existing wildlife legislation in the country be implemented to enhance conservation in this area.
    VL  - 2
    IS  - 3
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Department of Environmental Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon

  • Department of Civil & Public Law with References to the Law of Europe and the Environment, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus, Senftenberg, Germany

  • Department of Environmental Science, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon

  • Sections