ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the sacred natural sites of COMPAS partners found in seven different countries in Africa and Latin America. The sites are of importance for community well-being and for global biocultural teachings in nature conservation. Focusing on ‘well-being’, this chapter introduces endogenous development, or development from within, as an approach to address the various dimensions of sacred natural sites: sacred time, sacred space, mythical origins, historic origins and special energies. These dimensions are important to well-being as they are key components of the worldviews of indigenous and local communities. Sacred sites and spiritual values are not only important in livelihood activities such as food security and providing medicinal plants, but they are also significant in maintaining a people's mental health and socio-cultural life. A methodology for measuring and monitoring the material, social and spiritual importance of sacred natural sites is presented making use of a set of indicators and indicator criteria which address the importance of biodiversity and well-being. The chapter provides evidence that high biodiversity values are maintained through sacred natural sites and that these constitute vital links between community well-being and nature conservation. The chapter also signals the need for recognition of the importance of sacred natural sites in policy formulation. It provides examples of how the COMPAS network assists local and indigenous communities to conserve sacred sites and facilitate policy dialogue at the national level in Latin America and Africa.
