TOTEMIC TABOOS AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION: RECONSIDERINGAFRICAN INDIGENOUS RELIGION IN THE CONTEXT OF THE GLOBALECOLOGICAL CRISIS

Abstract

The contemporary global ecological crisis, characterized by biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, and the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, has generated renewed scholarly interest in indigenous ecological knowledge systems. This study examines the ecological significance of totemic taboos within African Indigenous Religion and their potential contribution to biodiversity conservation in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. In many African societies, totems represent sacred relationships between human communities and particular animal or plant species, often accompanied by taboos that prohibit their harm or consumption. Drawing on African cosmogony and indigenous environmental ethics, this study argues that such totemic regulations function as traditional mechanisms for ecological stewardship and species protection. Through a critical analysis of relevant literature and cultural practices, the paper demonstrates that totemic beliefs embody a moral framework that promotes respect for nature and sustainable coexistence between humans and the environment. The study concludes that revitalizing indigenous ecological values can complement contemporary environmental conservation strategies in addressing the global ecological crisis.