CULTURAL PRACTICES AND BIODIVERSITY By Lubinda mate

Traditional culture consists of the beliefs and practices held or observed by specific human groups that have been passed down from their ancestors through their grand-parents, parents and the society around them. Culture is a full range of learned human behavioral pattern and perception. The culture of a particular society is its ideas, customs and art. People and wildlife have long coexisted in the game management areas of Zambia (GMAs). Cultural diversity has a close relationship with wild animal’s biodiversity and its importance in biodiversity conservation has received increasing attention. In recent years there has been a proliferation of projects aiming to integrate human development needs with conservation objectives, and to establish mutually beneficial relationships for the management of natural resources between rural communities and the state.

People of different cultures in Africa have a variety of their cultural practices and beliefs. Zambia is not an exception as it holds a rich background of a diverse culture. These tribes that are present in Zambia mostly used to rely on wildlife and were hunters as far back as one might think. Even in the 21^st century, there are certain tribes that need skins of wild animals as clothing on certain occasions. These symbolize prestige, honor and respect to the bearer of the skin. The intensity of them needing these ornamentals however may affect the biodiversity of animals. Some animals are endemic and rare to the wild of our national parks and GMAs and might go into extinction if no proper conservation strategies are implored.

Example of animal parts used by the different ethnic groups

Cultural practices and perceptions may affect biodiversity and management practices of ecosystem. People’s practices and perception on wildlife resources may lead to species loss, consequently to biodiversity loss and affecting species richness. Humans tend to protect and conserve that which they know and like, meaning people’s positive perception of wildlife is an added effort to conservation of wildlife resources and it is a good way to tackle the problem of biodiversity loss; though animals like carnivores and most large animals which are viewed as destroyers and a danger to human may be perceived negatively. Skins of leopard and lion are also used at most traditional ceremonies of our country, for example they are worn by the padlers of the nalikwanda boat that carries the king during kuomboka. Also the Easterners wear these animal skins during their traditional cermony.

Traditional Ceremony in Eastern province

Some animals are captured and killed for medicinal purposes like  the pangolin, porcupine, tortoise and crocodile. Pangolin scales are used as medicine for stomach aches by soaking the scales in water then drink the fluid later on. It is also used as a good luck charm by which doctors and just ordinary people.

African Pangolin

Elands tail is used by chiefs as a tool of them being acknowledged by their people. The chief is always found with eland tail in their hands which is also used to scare flies.

Hippo’s tail is used as a whip at palaces for those who are wrong doers and need punishment in the community.

Tortoise meat is a delicacy but the most important of it’s scutes that are used as medicine for sores and wounds. It is burnt and mixed with vaseline then applied on wounds.

The above examples are just a snapshot of the few animals that are used by different ethnic groups regardless of the actions being of postive or negative to the wild animals. Other big animals like hippos are killed every year by ZAWA and handed to the Lozi king at Kuomboka Ceremony (1 hippo every year). 

Recommendations to the Government

·         Decentralization of the government body that deals with natural resources in this case ZAWA. This would aid the government to have projects on traditional institutions and learn traditional values of culture as they are still searching for ways of integrating the two institutions. This can help ZAWA to give information to the locals on the endangered and rare species that need extra preservation.

·         Recognition of traditional leaders by the state needs to be improved. Especially the leaders that are the true, practical custodians of wildlife. The ones that are found right inside the GMAs and interact with animals.

• Empowerment of traditional leaders and communities should be looked on by the government. Traditional leaders should be given back some powers over and be allowed to use workable traditional conservation methods that worked in the past before the government was formed and should be applied alongside the modern ways.
• Help the traditional leaders in the understanding and learning of the laws that protect wildlife. Training can be done to the traditional leaders on conservation and cultural practices understood from the point of view of the traditional leaders. This would help both parties to understand the gaps between government and traditional customs and best solutions would be made that would forge biodiversity forward.

Recommendations to the Traditional Institutions

• Replacement of cultural practices which are controversial to conservation. Culture changes with time and noticeable changes have been observed in different kingdoms. E.g. the Lozi’s in the old times used to wear skins of wild cats for prestige at kuomboka but this trend has been changed by the king that only the paddlers of the boat that ferry the two royal boats should wear the animal skins. In place of this the musisi and siziba dresses were introduced. However more alternate cultural practices can be found and implemented to reduce even more on killing of wildlife.
• Partner with government in various projects and decision making processes. The traditional leaders need to engage the government in processes such as hunting permits, forest and fisheries licenses. This will bring about proper management of resources and confidence between the two parties.
• The traditional leaders need to acknowledge and respect the laws that govern the protection of the natural resources of the country. The traditional leaders need to know and learn the laws so that it’s easy for them to apply justice to their subject.

Share with us your experiences, comments and recommendations. Send emails to wildlifemgtsociety@gmail.com