Can African Traditional Practices Save Our Forests? A UI Professor Thinks So

 

Professor Saka Oladunni Jimoh. Photo Credit: Directorate of Public Communication, UI.

A Professor of Forest Management at the University of Ibadan, Professor Saka Oladunni Jimoh, recently provided a compelling answer to a pressing environmental question: can African traditional practices save our forests? In the 591st Inaugural Lecture of the university, he argued that integrating indigenous knowledge into modern sustainable forest management is not just a good idea, but a necessity. His lecture highlighted the profound and often overlooked role that cultural practices have played in preserving biodiversity across the continent for centuries.

Professor Jimoh pointed out that before formal laws were established, taboos and religious beliefs were highly effective in regulating the use of natural resources. These cultural norms served as a form of "traditional law" that protected specific plants and animals with economic or ecological value.

Furthermore, he noted that early childhood education played a crucial role in conservation. Through the use of folktales and oral traditions, children were taught to respect and protect nature. These stories, often featuring animals as central characters, passed down a rich body of knowledge that was essential for preserving biodiversity.

Despite this rich history of effective conservation, Professor Jimoh lamented the current state of affairs. He explained that a number of factors have prevented the widespread application of these traditional practices in modern forest management. He cited the incursion of foreign religions and cultures, which has led to a devaluation of indigenous customs, as well as the lack of systematic documentation, which puts this knowledge at risk of being lost forever.

To bridge this gap, the Don proposed a strategic approach that combines the best of both worlds. He stressed the need for a new educational framework that teaches children to appreciate the wonders of nature from a young age, using creative tools like myths, poems, and cartoons. He also called for the formal integration of indigenous knowledge into university curricula, urging that it be taught alongside modern scientific principles.

In a call to action, Professor Jimoh urged for multi-stakeholder collaboration. He recommended that research institutions and funding agencies prioritize studies that scientifically validate and document indigenous conservation practices. He also called on government agencies and development planners to actively incorporate cultural heritage preservation into their development programs. His lecture was a powerful plea for a more holistic approach to environmental conservation—one that honors the wisdom of the past while embracing the tools of the present.