Cameroon: Linking traditional and cultural knowledge and modern science to fight climate change

| October 31, 2022

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Until recently, climate change was mainly seen as driven by a Western agenda and as something that has nothing to do with developing countries, especially those in Africa. But people are realizing that climate change is already affecting many developing countries, and are feeling unprepared and stranded, with nowhere to turn for help. Many, including traditional leaders, say they have a huge role to play in changing the fortunes of their communities, but that they need science to help them create opportunities. During the recent Global Landscapes Forum, traditional leaders from Cameroon shared how they can play a role in combating climate change, including acting as a bridge between people and the state, and adopting environmentally-friendly practices at the village level.

Until recently, climate change was mainly seen as driven by a Western agenda and as something that has nothing to do with developing countries, especially those in Africa.

But people are realizing that climate change is already affecting many developing countries, and are feeling unprepared and stranded, with nowhere to turn for help.

The majority of small-scale farmers in Africa depend on favourable weather conditions and have faced a rude awakening as their yields dwindle with each passing rainy season. 

Indeed, the survival of small-scale farmers in Africa is challenged because of climate change. Alvario Lario is the president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, or IFAD. Mr. Lario says, “Small-scale producers grow a third of the world’s food, but can still go to bed hungry themselves.” 

This could change by combining the efforts of different countries, sectors, and science. Many, including traditional leaders, say they have a huge role to play in changing the fortunes of their communities, but that they need science to help them create opportunities.

In Cameroon, traditional leaders say they can use their community status to address climate change. Speaking during the recent Global Landscapes Forum, Mankfu Findo Marie Louis Kwimbu, Queen Mother of the Bondede Nkambe chiefdom, shared her belief that traditional leaders can act in the fight against climate change. 

She says: “My role as a Queen is to perform traditional rituals. I am a mentor to young girls and women and I offer guidance to the chief and to my people. And I realize that to fight climate change, we can combine our traditional beliefs and customs with what science teaches to change the climate change story in our favour.”

Speaking during the same session, Global Landscapes Forum Nkambe Chapter facilitator, Nfor Blessing, said traditional leaders have an important role to play because they act as an intermediary between people and the state.

Ms. Nfor said: “This leadership is instilled in our culture. We have grown up with it and … if the traditional rules give an instruction, the people will follow the instruction because of the respect instilled in them for the leader.”

She added that traditional leaders command a lot of influence and control not only in Nkambe, Cameroon, but all over Africa, and adds that, if there is a problem, people talk to their chiefs to get solutions. She says, “They are in charge of everything including developmental issues and so to tackle climate change, the buck stops with them.” 

Fon Stanley Chifu is the ruler of Njap Village in Nkambe Central subdivision in Cameroon. He said that each community must be responsible for ensuring that there is no deforestation or burning of trash, which both contribute to climate change. 

The traditional leader added that using fertilizer is discouraged in his division while using organic manure is encouraged.

He added: “We use traditional injunctional orders to restrict activities on the reserve forest. I own a tree nursery and fuel plantation. As a chiefdom, we work with various stakeholders, including NGOs, to restore our forests and I encourage other communities to do the same. These solutions should restore communities.” 

This article is based on discussions that took place during the Global Landscape Forum Africa 2022 Digital Conference held online in September. For more information on the Forum, or to watch some of the recorded presentations, go to: https://conference.globallandscapesforum.org/africa-2022/sessions

Photo: Fon Stanley Chifu, ruler of Njap Village in Nkambe Central subdivision in Cameroon.