Perception and Use of Palms in Some Cultural (Ethnical) Communauties in the Democratic Republic of the CONGO

Abstract

This ethnobotanical study has been conducted within some ethnical communauties of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) to document traditional knowledge on palms. Semi-structural interviewes have mobilized 232 individuals, men and women 25 to 75 years old, belonging to 39 tribes from Equateur, Kinshasa, Central Kongo, Kwango, Kwilu, Mai-ndombe, Sankuru and Tshopo provinces. Identified palms have an exceptional value for local populations, in spite of an exploitation with negative impact on the forest ecosystems. Among these species, Elaeis guineensis, Eremospatha cabrae, E. haullevilleana, Laccosperma secundiflorum, L. robustum, Raphia gentiliana, R. laurentii et R. sese are of multiple uses: alimentary (including wine extraction), traditional medicine, made by craftsmen (such as the canework of armchairs and basket-making), hut and bridge building, cosmetics and fishing. Following provinces and ethnic groups, and in addition to a great economical value, many ritual significances are given to palms, in particular to the oil and raphia ones: welcome, victory, richness, joy, life and fertility, mourning or even reward. Some communities also use them to pursue bad spirits when others again use them to exert evil powers and to harm thieves. However, these uses go with an effective scarcity of species. What needs measures of protection and durability management from the decision makers in order to preserve the species perennity. Local populations would thus have guarantee of their resource’s durability, in addition to the linked economic and cultural advantages.