Cultural knowledge of forests and allied tree system management around Mabira Forest Reserve, Uganda
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Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Rural Development (AFJRD)
Abstract
The cultural universe is sometimes confusing,
surprising and murky, so many cultural maps get drawn,
discussed and envisioned. A study was undertaken around
Mabira Forest Reserve in central Uganda to identify the
trees and shrubs culturally managed on-farm, assess the
cultural practices of forest and tree system management
and determine the relationship between farmer gender and
forest and tree system management. We engaged 203
farmers in focus group discussions and semi-structured
interviews to collect data. Qualitative data were jointly
evaluated with farmers; quantitative data were analyzed in
SPSS 20.0. The results showed a high likelihood for
involvement of local people in tree or forest management
for economic gain, as timber and fast-growing species were
highly ranked. Food and medicinal species were also
regarded as important, suggesting high prospects of integrating
them into the local farming system or protecting
them in the forest. Numerous cultural practices (including
rituals, trenching, bark slashing, ring barking, spot weeding
and use of organic manure and pesticides) of forest and tree
system management were acknowledged. However, their
knowledge was mixed and unclear about distinct cultural
and supportive arrangements for natural forest and tree
restoration. While gender was not a significant cultural
attribute for knowledge of the forest and allied tree system
management, age substantially affected farmer propensity
for various timber products. Also farmer’s family size
influenced the collection of tree wildings and fodder. We
encourage considering gender disparities and livelihood
needs including income, during selection of cultural practices
for forest and tree restoration.
Description
Keywords
Traditional, Cultural ways, Forest management, Indigenous knowledge, Superstition
Citation
Nelson, T., David, M. T., Fred, Y., Willy, K., & Vincent, B. (2017). Awareness, perceptions and implementation of policy and legal provisions on wetlands in Uganda. African Journal of Rural Development (AFJRD), 2(1978-2017-1910), 161-174. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-019-00961-6