Managing the Laikom Sacred Forest in the Boyo Highlands of Cameroon: Customary Laws, Traditional Institutions, Taboos and Penalties for Non-Compliance
Journal Title: International Journal of Life Science and Agriculture Research - Year 2025, Vol 4, Issue 04
Abstract
The Laikom sacred forest, in the Boyo Highlands of Cameroon, is a critical ecological and cultural heritage site governed by centuries-old customary laws and traditional institutions. A study was carried out to assess the roles of indigenous governance, taboos, rituals, and penalties in the management of the 21.9-hectare forest, located in the environs of the Kom Palace in Laikom. Data were collected through key informant interviews and observations. The findings reveal a deeply embedded system of traditional forest governance upheld by key institutions such as the Kwifon (sacred council), Fon, sub-chiefs, traditional practitioners, and women associations (Fumbuien). Customary laws regulate agricultural practices, hunting, cleansing rituals, and forest use, often transmitted through oral traditions, community gatherings, and ceremonies. The forest’s sanctity is protected by taboos against activities such as tree felling, hunting, and unauthorized entry, particularly by women, against severe social, spiritual, and supernatural penalties. Despite the resilience of these traditional systems, Laikom faces growing challenges including encroachment, internal leadership conflicts, climate change, and erosion of cultural knowledge. Nonetheless, traditional management strategies such as community guardianship, ritual ceremonies, and agroforestry practices remain effective in conserving the forest’s biodiversity and cultural relevance. This study underscores the importance of integrating customary laws and traditional institutions into formal environmental policy frameworks. Recognizing and supporting indigenous knowledge systems can enhance biodiversity conservation and cultural preservation. Policy interventions should aim at legally recognizing sacred forests, providing capacity-building for traditional custodians, and fostering collaborative governance models that respect local cultural values while addressing modern conservation challenges.
Authors and Affiliations
Loh Mariline Nkenkuh, Titus Fondo Ambebe, Nyong Princely Awazi
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP765076
- DOI https://doi.org/10.55677/ijlsar/V04I04Y2025-05
- Views 27
- Downloads 0
Analysing the Impact of Broiler Line and Egg Preservation Durations on Immunoglobulin Levels and Some Egg Quality Indicators
The basis of the poultry industry is the presence of parent flocks, and the lack of this causes the eggs to be transported for long periods and long distances, reducing the quality of hatching eggs and producing poor-qua...
Enhancing Maize Productivity in Nepal's Terai Region through Integrated Weed Management Practices
Weeds pose a major challenge to crop productivity, significantly impacting maize (Zea mays L.), which is Nepal’s second-most important staple crop. Although attainable yield 5.8 t ha⁻¹, the national average is only 3.15...
Quality of Mango cv. “Keitt” Treated with X-rays
Irradiating fruits is an approved quarantine treatment to overcome biological barriers for the export of agricultural commodities, applied to prevent the introduction or spread of quarantine pests. Currently, most irradi...
Characterization of Three Brown Algae Bifurcaria Bifurcata, Cystoseira Gibraltarica and Fucus Spiralis
In recent years, scientists have become interested in marine macroalgae, which represent a rich source of bioactive substances. These molecules are characterized by a multitude of forms and structures and have several bi...
Groundwater potential zones for Agriculture purpose by Using Remote Sensing, GIS and AHP techniques in Northwestern coastal basins at Ras El-Khima, Marsa Matrouh Governorate, Egypt.
The primary objective of this study is to demarcate and evaluate groundwater potential zones (GWPZs) within semi-arid basins employing a combination of Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information System (GIS), and Analyt...