Roger C. Fotso

Fotso, R.C. 1999. The contribution of indigenous knowledge of birds to the management of tropical forests. In: Adams, N.J. & Slotow, R.H. (eds) Proc. 22 Int. Ornithol. Congr., Durban: 1344. Johannesburg: BirdLife South Africa.

The advancement of ornithology as a scientific discipline in Africa has been very slow. Ornithological studies were initiated in Africa some time in the 17th century, as European explorers started to move deeper into the unknown continent. Up to the years 1970, most of the information available on wild birds in Africa consisted of records of field observations and taxonomic data from museum collections. Most of the studies were carried out by scientists or ‘amateur’ ornithologists from Europe and North America. During the last 20 years, however, significant progress has been made, as more and more African scientists became interested in bird studies. African Ornithologists as well as the new generation of scientists from western countries has greatly benefited from indigenous knowledge of birds and their habitats by local human communities. Both ornithologists and managers of tropical forests have improved their knowledge and skills by constantly drawing from indigenous knowledge in their areas of operation. Various regions of Africa are inhabited by different groups of people with specific sociological and cultural backgrounds. These communities rely on resources from the environment for their livelihood. Hence, they know the different species of plants and birds that depend on them. Their readiness to protect and conserve tropical forests and the associated biological resources is expressed through the creation of sanctuaries or sacred forests. Knowledge of the species protected in sacred forests or shrines is accumulated, updated and passed on from one generation to the next within the community. That knowledge is used to regulate the use of resources by individuals, families or clans. Traditional values and methods of exploitation as well as perceptions of resources by communities in Africa have been rapidly changing over the years. Traditional knowledge of birds, though not adequately documented, still remains with the traditional communities and will continue to enrich modern ornithology in Africa for a long-time to come.