THE POTENTIALS OF MYTHS AND TABOOS IN FOREST CONSERVATION: COULD THEY SERVE AS BEING STRATEGIES IN BAYELSA STATE OF NIGERIA?
J. KAYODE *
Department of Plant Sciences, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
S. O. IHINMIKAIYE
Department of Plant Sciences, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria and Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
A. A. OYEDEJI
Department of Biological Science, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
S. AROWOSEGBE
Department of Plant Sciences, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The potentials of myths and taboos in forest conservation strategies in Bayelsa State of Nigeria were examined using a combination of field observation and interviews through semi-structured questionnaire matrix. The state was divided into three zones. In each local government area of the zones, five rural communities that are still relatively far from urban influence were selected and in each community, ten individuals that have maintained continuous domicile for at least 10 years in the study area were selected and interviewed. Each respondent was asked to recall the forest myths and taboos in the community and the penalty for contravention of such. The abundance of tree species mentioned in the myths was determined. A total of 11 species were identified in the forest taboos in Bayelsa West zone, 5 and 6 species in Bayelsa Central and Bayelsa Eastern zones respectively. The values of index of similarity observed in the three zones were low thus indicating low diversity in the trees involved in the various myths identified in the study area. Field observation revealed that a total of 15 tree species, belonging to 13 families were identified in Bayelsa myths and taboos. These species were indigenous and were not cultivated in the study area. Thus the myths and taboos on these species as well as the respondents’ beliefs and fears for them confirmed them as sustainable strategies for forest conservation.
Keywords: Myths, taboos, forest, conservation, Nigeria