Cultural and socio-economic perspectives of the conservation of Asanting Ibiono Sacred Forests in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

Culturally, sacred forests have been an integral part of many Africa traditional societies for centuries. For decades, these traditions have encouraged community driven nature conservation attitudes and have ensured the conservation of native biodiversity, supplying non-timber forest products (NTFPs), supporting ecological, religious, cultural and socio-economic functions. This long standing tradition is on the decline today as a result of development, population pressure and changes in religious beliefs. This study examines the cultural and socio-economic variables that facilitate the conservation of the sacred forests in Asanting village in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area (LGA) in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Seventy five (75) respondents were selected for this study using snowball sampling and stratified sampling techniques, and were used to collect the quantitative and qualitative data through a questionnaire survey and ethnographic research approaches. Descriptive statistical techniques were used to analyze the primary data collected. The results show that 73% were male and 27% were female, 60% were literate while 40% were traders and 33% were farmers with 4% less than 30 years old. All the respondents belong to a single religious group (Christianity). Majority of the respondents (79%) had favorable attitudes towards the concept of conservation of the fragments of sacred forest through cultural practices. Fourteen percent of the respondents agreed that they need to conserve the sacred forest because of its regulating, provisioning, social/cultural and supporting services. Moreover, a large proportion of the respondents (71%) generate income from various activities carried out within the sacred forests, thus, contributing to their livelihoods economy. However, changes in religious beliefs and the need for development had a negative effect on the conservation attitude of majority of the respondents, leading to the destruction of two sacred forests in the village. The integration of the traditional knowledge system in enlightenment campaign and application of community based approach toward conservation issues will therefore ensure a better conservation attitude in the community and Nigeria in general. Key words: Sacred forest, conservation, biodiversity, cultural and religious beliefs, traditional knowledge, Asanting Ibiono, Nigeria.