Many development actors involved in nature conservation underestimate the value of harnessing indigenous knowledge, values, principles and practices in contributing to conservation. They therefore de-alienate culture and conservation concepts. In this presentation, Aliguma tries to link culture to conservation and how various cultural resources can contribute to sustainable conservation. These cultural resources include indigenous knowledge, taboos, values, principles, cultural leaders, etc.

1. Culture in
Development
Does such an approach apply
to environmental conservation?
A training for Community Based Organisations in Bunyoro
Hoima Resort Hotel; 2nd August 2022
ALIGUMA AHABYONA AKIIKI

2. What is the “Culture in
Development” approach?
The selective, voluntary integration of
the positive aspects of culture
in development thinking and practice

3. It means:
• Recognising and acknowledging local knowledge systems
• Identifying and using local cultural resources
• Managing the harmonisation of different bodies of knowledge

4. Conservation and culture?

5. Conservation – is there a cultural
dimension?
1. Conservation is often seen through a divide between
nature and culture
2. Until recently there human activities and cultural values
were excluded, resulting in conflicts between
communities and conservationists
3. Conservation practices have changed to include
communities as partners (as understood from a western
perspective but not tapping on their traditional
knowledge and skills)

6. A forest may have several cultural
dimensions
My
forest
Spiritual
value and
cultural
attachment
Cultural
landscape
and sites
Traditional
governance
systems
linked to
conservation
Medicinal,
spiritual,
food value
Knowledge
and skills
linked to
conservation
Cultural
significance
of fauna,
flora

7. What is the link?

8. What is the link?
 Cultural communities and worldviews on conservation – positive and protective
association with nature as part of community life e.g. spirituality attached to water
bodies, tree species etc.
 Cultural leadership – specific individuals are charged to care for conservation of
sacred forests, water bodies, falls, caves etc.
 Cultural identity – association with totems of clans considered as kin, carers of
nature, and secrets of the forest and used to cause social cohesion and in some
cases active protection of nature and animals
 Traditional knowledge and skills associated conservation – herbal medicines,
traditional foods derived from indigenous plants, craftsmanship (in making
barkcloth, drums, mats, ekyanzi, musical instruments, costumes
 Transmission of knowledge – chiefs, ridge leaders, custodians, clan leaders, elders,
families communicate the importance of conservation from a cultural perspective to
the younger generation

9. Weaknesses in the link between culture and
conservation
• Influence of modern religions, formal education, urban lifestyles
resulting in a breakdown of traditional transmission mechanisms
• Population growth and influence of migrant communities increasing the
pressure on land and “diluting” positive conservation cultural practices
or even introducing negative ones
• Economic pressure, especially by the youth, to acquire quick income,
coupled by weak role models of community conservation

10. Food for thought – now over to you!
• How can we strengthen positive linkages between culture and
conservation?
• How do we better protect our forest and chimps, using a “Culture in
Development” approach?
• How do we collaborate better, with whom, to adopt a “Culture in
Development approach?