Traditional Beliefs and Institutions for the Conservation of Biodiversity in Ethiopia: A Review from a Conservation Perspective

Abstract

Traditional beliefs, social institutions, and cultural practices are performed in traditional communities of Ethiopia to harmonize interaction between the community and their natural environment. However, the positive effect of the communities on biodiversity was undermined and modernization erodes these traditional norms and their role in biodiversity conservation is not well known and documented. This review aims to evaluate the role of traditional beliefs and institutions in the conservation of biodiversity in Ethiopia. Traditional communities of Ethiopia believed that certain places and species are the ideal places to meet with their God and give special attention to them. Plant species like <i>Ficus sycomorus</i>, <i>Podocarpus falcatus</i>, <i>Olea capensis</i>, and <i>Ficus vasta </i>are regarded as a source of different spirits and have developed positive attitudes towards the plant species, and cutting them is immoral. <i>Gada</i> system, <i>Kobo</i> system, <i>Gudo </i>system, Jang system, <i>Maga,</i> Songo, and <i>Baallee </i>are traditional institutions that play a significant role in animal and plant species conservation in Oromo, Kaficho, Sheka, Majang, Gamo, and Gedeo community respectively. Taboos, oral declarations, social banishment, customary law, and punishment practiced by indigenous communities prohibit actions and activities that harm the welfare of biodiversity and their natural environment. Preservation of traditional beliefs and institutions is a form of biodiversity conservation, including registration as an intangible heritage of the community by the United Nations, Science, Education, and Culture Organization, because biodiversity and traditional community are intertwined (UNESCO).