Utilization and traditional strategies of in situ conservation of iroko ( Milicia excelsa Welw. C.C. Berg) in Benin

Abstract

Socio-cultural surveys were carried out on the basis of a questionnaire administered on 346 respondents in order to investigate cultural and ethnobotanic uses of Milicia excelsa in Benin. M. excelsa contributes to cure 45 human diseases. The different parts of the tree used are leaves (30.3%), bark (25.8%), root (23.6%), latex (10.1%), flaking bark (6.7%), wood, calcium concentrated in old trees, and gum (1.1% each). Fruits or seeds are rarely used. Six different forms of utilization were recorded: soaking (46.3%), bark or leaves decoction (32.8%), herb tea (11.9%), powder (6.0%), leaves or bark grounded and rolled up into ball (1.5%), component of offering to fetish (1.5%). Iroko wood is also used in carpentry and joinery for construction purposes; furniture as well as for building boats/canoes. Iroko tree is used as the conservatory of cultural values and incarnates many divinities, which differ significantly from one province to another ( χ 2 = 1830.27; d.f. = 25; P < 0.01%). There is a significant difference between the provinces in respect of the recognition of the species ( χ 2 = 268.71; d.f. = 17; P ≤ 0.01%) and the population awareness about iroko as a sacred tree also varied from one province to another ( χ 2 = 308.66; d.f. = 27; P ≤ 0.01%). Veneration of the tree is the main approach of its conservation by local people. M. excelsa is conserved on farm, in sacred groves, in public places and in cemeteries. The different sacred objects used to symbolize the divinities incarnated by iroko are: pottery (36.36%), iron (11.11%), calabash (4.04%), candle (2.02%), piece of cloth (18.18%), sacrifice (13.13%), piece of money (3.0%), stone (2.05%), glassware (broken bottle, 2.02%), and convent (8.08%). There is a highly significant difference between provinces as far as the sacred objects are concerned ( χ 2 = 183.037; d.f. = 19 and P < 0.001%). The conservation purposes also vary significantly from one region to other ( χ 2 = 894.47; d.f. = 31; P < 0.01%).