The role of taboos in conservation of sacred groves in Ghana's Tallensi-Nabdam district

Abstract

More than half of Ghana's forest cover has been lost to deforestation. Although the Tallensi-Nabdam district has suffered deforestation, portions of the biosphere called sacred groves have survived. The purpose of this study was to explore the particular reasons why the groves have thrived by articulating precise sacred grove taboos, many of which are gender specific. Our enquiry led to a compendium of taboos categorized into environmental, social and regulatory conventions. We found that the adherence to taboo and fear of repercussions, including barrenness and even death, plays a role in the continued preservation of the sacred groves. Also, people who do not adhere to traditional religions still stayed away from sacred groves to avoid dealing with traditional authorities. The paper indicates that in spite of modernization, taboos serve useful purposes in the conservation of biodiversity within sacred groves. The paper extends the argument that biodiversity conservation is linked with cultural preservation.