ABSTRACT
Communities in the Niger Delta have a close affinity with the surrounding wetlands which is exemplified by the interaction with plants and animals based on their world view. This interaction contains social codes and conservation ethics imbued with rules and meanings which have affected both the human community and aquatic resources. The two case studies presented in this chapter involve the Biseni and Osiama communities, both members of the predominant Ijo speaking group in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The belief structure of this group delineates natural landscapes into two categories, termed aweýe (forbidden) and aweaya (not forbidden). Forbidden freshwater lakes such as Lake Esiribi and Lake Adigbe have sacred species which are embodiments of gods and ancestral spirits and therefore have elevated status within these societies. These species, for example, the nationally threatened crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis), are revered and thus protected. The belief that the crocodile is the peoples’ brother implies its protection within the aweýe (forbidden) lake. If killed accidentally, it is given full obsequies akin to human funeral rites and when killed intentionally the culprit is made to replace a live crocodile for the dead one. Sacredness of these lakes means fishing when permitted is done in groups within specific dates and seasons, using fishing instruments prescribed by the group that are non-intrusive and selective. Common ancestry and social connectedness among neighbouring communities link the management of some of these lakes together, forming a network of lakes reserved for periodic fishing based on communal treaties. These culturally protected freshwater lakes provide insights into how the current rate of biodiversity loss in the Niger Delta can be tackled through the involvement of indigenous people in the management of threatened biodiversity and watershed areas. Sacred lakes, like their terrestrial counterparts, sacred groves, tend to be fragmented ecosystems as they are usually small habitat remnants preserved by indigenous people. However, the social cohesion amongst this group has an important role in conservation as it increases the chances of connectivity of sacred lakes within the region, thereby reducing small-island effects on the aquatic resources. Capacity building of indigenous groups and provision of appropriate legal instruments that protect the rights of indigenous groups within the region for sustainable wetland management are recommended.
