Adaptation of Traditional Festivals to Natural Resources Conservation Education: Lessons from Osun-Osogbo and Argungun Fishing Festivals in Nigeria

Adekunle Olatumile

doi:10.46281/aesr.v5i2.361

Abstract

Africa has been tagged a festival continent as year in year out, towns and villages witness cultural festivals throughout the year. These festivals are mostly concerned with resources conservation and utilization. The adoption of Western Model of conserving biodiversity in the trickle-down fashion has failed to yield reasonable result; whereas traditional festivals epitomize indigenous people’s respect and reverence for, and pragmatic understanding of, their natural environment. The quest of conserving biodiversity for sustainable development therefore calls for the integration of traditional festivals in sustainable resource management framework. In spite of the invaluable potentials of traditional festivals in biodiversity conservation as an indigenous resource management system, it has not been given a prominent place in the modern day scientific resource management framework. Using ethnographic research design, the paper exploits the natural resources conservation potentials of Osun-Osogbo and Argungun fishing festivals in Nigeria. Data are collected from archival, ethnographic and internet materials, as well as text books, pictures and information through interviews and observations. The paper presents an analysis of ways through which policy frameworks can benefit from festivals and how a wide audience can be reached with biodiversity conservation messages for the purpose of creating awareness. The paper develops a framework for ecosystem based adaptation, using indigenous festivals for the purpose of replicating it in every other community where such festivals do not exist and integrating it in festivals that are not based on natural resource conservation.

Highlights

The issue of environmental protection and sustainability has dominated global discourse lately, and going by unfolding events of natural disasters, it will continue to gain prominence in addressing the problems facing humanity and in the centuries
One important traditional institution that can be effectively utilised for sustainable biodiversity conservation is festival
In order to achieve the set goals, Article 10 of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) makes concrete provision for a programme of research, extension and education that will enhance sustainable biodiversity conservation, and suggests the “Sustainable use of components of biological diversity especially the aspects concerning the protection and encouragement of customary use of biological resources in accordance with traditional cultural practices that are compatible with conservation and sustainable use requirements” (FRN, 2010)

Summary

Introduction

The issue of environmental protection and sustainability has dominated global discourse lately, and going by unfolding events of natural disasters, it will continue to gain prominence in addressing the problems facing humanity and in the centuries. Target 18 stipulated that: By 2020, the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and their customary use of biological resources, are respected, subject to national legislation and relevant international obligations, and fully integrated and reflected in the implementation of the Convention with the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities, at all relevant levels. One important traditional institution that can be effectively utilised for sustainable biodiversity conservation is festival.

Results

Conclusion