Behind the Myth: Indigenous Knowledge and Belief Systems in Natural Resource Conservation in North East Ghana

Philip Aniah; Arkum Thaddeus Aasoglenang; Samuel Z. Bonye

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijepp.20140203.11

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Behind the Myth: Indigenous Knowledge and Belief Systems in Natural Resource Conservation in North East Ghana

Philip Aniah, Arkum Thaddeus Aasoglenang, Samuel Z. Bonye

Published in International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 2, Issue 3)

Received: 27 April 2014 Accepted: 30 April 2014 Published: 20 May 2014

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Abstract

Natural resource management issues in developing countries are increasingly mimicking western theories and the contribution of indigenous cultures and institutions are often overlooked. This research examines the role traditional belief systems and indigenous knowledge and practices have played in the management and conservation of natural environmental resources in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Some cultural practices and belief systems like sacrifices, worship, the Tindaanaship organization and the Tingaane civilization and how the Tindaanas (chief priest) communicates through the Tingaane (shrines and sacred groves) to the ancestral spirits or gods, how the people are punished if the gods are provoked were examined. The study revealed that the significant attribute of the belief systems that rest on the ascription of supernatural powers to some parts of the environment as the home of the gods has significantly helped to conserve the natural environment. The protection of these homes/areas from utilization, exploitation and use explicitly encourages conservation of environmental resources. Forbidden areas and totemic items/objects associated with worship immensely promoted conservation of resources. Over the years, traditional belief systems, practices and indigenous knowledge strategies that conserve the natural resources have been eroded or corroded by western cultural infiltration and religion. The study recommends a re-visitation of the traditional belief systems and cultural practices that promote the management, preservation and conservation of natural resources for the sustainable development of the Upper East Region and the nation at large.

Published in	International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 2, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijepp.20140203.11
Page(s)	104-112
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2014. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Traditional Belief System, Indigenous Knowledge, Natural Resource Conservation, Tindaana, Tingaani area, Shrines and Sacred Groves

References

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Philip Aniah, Arkum Thaddeus Aasoglenang, Samuel Z. Bonye. (2014). Behind the Myth: Indigenous Knowledge and Belief Systems in Natural Resource Conservation in North East Ghana. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 2(3), 104-112. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140203.11

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ACS Style

Philip Aniah; Arkum Thaddeus Aasoglenang; Samuel Z. Bonye. Behind the Myth: Indigenous Knowledge and Belief Systems in Natural Resource Conservation in North East Ghana. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2014, 2(3), 104-112. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20140203.11

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AMA Style

Philip Aniah, Arkum Thaddeus Aasoglenang, Samuel Z. Bonye. Behind the Myth: Indigenous Knowledge and Belief Systems in Natural Resource Conservation in North East Ghana. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2014;2(3):104-112. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20140203.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20140203.11,
  author = {Philip Aniah and Arkum Thaddeus Aasoglenang and Samuel Z. Bonye},
  title = {Behind the Myth: Indigenous Knowledge and Belief Systems in Natural Resource Conservation in North East Ghana},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {2},
  number = {3},
  pages = {104-112},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20140203.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140203.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20140203.11},
  abstract = {Natural resource management issues in developing countries are increasingly mimicking western theories and the contribution of indigenous cultures and institutions are often overlooked. This research examines the role traditional belief systems and indigenous knowledge and practices have played in the management and conservation of natural environmental resources in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Some cultural practices and belief systems like sacrifices, worship, the Tindaanaship organization and the Tingaane civilization and how the Tindaanas (chief priest) communicates through the Tingaane (shrines and sacred groves) to the ancestral spirits or gods, how the people are punished if the gods are provoked were examined. The study revealed that the significant attribute of the belief systems that rest on the ascription of supernatural powers to some parts of the environment as the home of the gods has significantly helped to conserve the natural environment. The protection of these homes/areas from utilization, exploitation and use explicitly encourages conservation of environmental resources. Forbidden areas and totemic items/objects associated with worship immensely promoted conservation of resources. Over the years, traditional belief systems, practices and indigenous knowledge strategies that conserve the natural resources have been eroded or corroded by western cultural infiltration and religion. The study recommends a re-visitation of the traditional belief systems and cultural practices that promote the management, preservation and conservation of natural resources for the sustainable development of the Upper East Region and the nation at large.},
 year = {2014}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Behind the Myth: Indigenous Knowledge and Belief Systems in Natural Resource Conservation in North East Ghana
AU  - Philip Aniah
AU  - Arkum Thaddeus Aasoglenang
AU  - Samuel Z. Bonye
Y1  - 2014/05/20
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DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20140203.11
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
SP  - 104
EP  - 112
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7536
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140203.11
AB  - Natural resource management issues in developing countries are increasingly mimicking western theories and the contribution of indigenous cultures and institutions are often overlooked. This research examines the role traditional belief systems and indigenous knowledge and practices have played in the management and conservation of natural environmental resources in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Some cultural practices and belief systems like sacrifices, worship, the Tindaanaship organization and the Tingaane civilization and how the Tindaanas (chief priest) communicates through the Tingaane (shrines and sacred groves) to the ancestral spirits or gods, how the people are punished if the gods are provoked were examined. The study revealed that the significant attribute of the belief systems that rest on the ascription of supernatural powers to some parts of the environment as the home of the gods has significantly helped to conserve the natural environment. The protection of these homes/areas from utilization, exploitation and use explicitly encourages conservation of environmental resources. Forbidden areas and totemic items/objects associated with worship immensely promoted conservation of resources. Over the years, traditional belief systems, practices and indigenous knowledge strategies that conserve the natural resources have been eroded or corroded by western cultural infiltration and religion. The study recommends a re-visitation of the traditional belief systems and cultural practices that promote the management, preservation and conservation of natural resources for the sustainable development of the Upper East Region and the nation at large.
VL  - 2
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Philip Aniah

Department of Development Studies, University for Development Studies WA, Ghana
Arkum Thaddeus Aasoglenang

Department of Community Development, University for Development Studies, WA, Ghana
Samuel Z. Bonye

Department of Community Development, University for Development Studies, WA, Ghana

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Philip Aniah, Arkum Thaddeus Aasoglenang, Samuel Z. Bonye. (2014). Behind the Myth: Indigenous Knowledge and Belief Systems in Natural Resource Conservation in North East Ghana. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 2(3), 104-112. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140203.11

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ACS Style

Philip Aniah; Arkum Thaddeus Aasoglenang; Samuel Z. Bonye. Behind the Myth: Indigenous Knowledge and Belief Systems in Natural Resource Conservation in North East Ghana. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2014, 2(3), 104-112. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20140203.11

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AMA Style

Philip Aniah, Arkum Thaddeus Aasoglenang, Samuel Z. Bonye. Behind the Myth: Indigenous Knowledge and Belief Systems in Natural Resource Conservation in North East Ghana. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2014;2(3):104-112. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20140203.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20140203.11,
  author = {Philip Aniah and Arkum Thaddeus Aasoglenang and Samuel Z. Bonye},
  title = {Behind the Myth: Indigenous Knowledge and Belief Systems in Natural Resource Conservation in North East Ghana},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {2},
  number = {3},
  pages = {104-112},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20140203.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140203.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20140203.11},
  abstract = {Natural resource management issues in developing countries are increasingly mimicking western theories and the contribution of indigenous cultures and institutions are often overlooked. This research examines the role traditional belief systems and indigenous knowledge and practices have played in the management and conservation of natural environmental resources in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Some cultural practices and belief systems like sacrifices, worship, the Tindaanaship organization and the Tingaane civilization and how the Tindaanas (chief priest) communicates through the Tingaane (shrines and sacred groves) to the ancestral spirits or gods, how the people are punished if the gods are provoked were examined. The study revealed that the significant attribute of the belief systems that rest on the ascription of supernatural powers to some parts of the environment as the home of the gods has significantly helped to conserve the natural environment. The protection of these homes/areas from utilization, exploitation and use explicitly encourages conservation of environmental resources. Forbidden areas and totemic items/objects associated with worship immensely promoted conservation of resources. Over the years, traditional belief systems, practices and indigenous knowledge strategies that conserve the natural resources have been eroded or corroded by western cultural infiltration and religion. The study recommends a re-visitation of the traditional belief systems and cultural practices that promote the management, preservation and conservation of natural resources for the sustainable development of the Upper East Region and the nation at large.},
 year = {2014}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Behind the Myth: Indigenous Knowledge and Belief Systems in Natural Resource Conservation in North East Ghana
AU  - Philip Aniah
AU  - Arkum Thaddeus Aasoglenang
AU  - Samuel Z. Bonye
Y1  - 2014/05/20
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140203.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20140203.11
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
SP  - 104
EP  - 112
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7536
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140203.11
AB  - Natural resource management issues in developing countries are increasingly mimicking western theories and the contribution of indigenous cultures and institutions are often overlooked. This research examines the role traditional belief systems and indigenous knowledge and practices have played in the management and conservation of natural environmental resources in the Upper East Region of Ghana. Some cultural practices and belief systems like sacrifices, worship, the Tindaanaship organization and the Tingaane civilization and how the Tindaanas (chief priest) communicates through the Tingaane (shrines and sacred groves) to the ancestral spirits or gods, how the people are punished if the gods are provoked were examined. The study revealed that the significant attribute of the belief systems that rest on the ascription of supernatural powers to some parts of the environment as the home of the gods has significantly helped to conserve the natural environment. The protection of these homes/areas from utilization, exploitation and use explicitly encourages conservation of environmental resources. Forbidden areas and totemic items/objects associated with worship immensely promoted conservation of resources. Over the years, traditional belief systems, practices and indigenous knowledge strategies that conserve the natural resources have been eroded or corroded by western cultural infiltration and religion. The study recommends a re-visitation of the traditional belief systems and cultural practices that promote the management, preservation and conservation of natural resources for the sustainable development of the Upper East Region and the nation at large.
VL  - 2
IS  - 3
ER  -

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